SVK military personnel and firefighters with air and ground assets to help put out a wildfire in Slovenia
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- Date: 21.07.2022
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SVK military personnel will help put out an extensive wildfire in Slovenia's Karst region in response to a request for assistance from Slovenian officials. This afternoon a SVK Air Force UH60M Black Hawk helicopter underslung with a Bambi Bucket, operated by 51 Wing from Prešov Air Base, is deploying to the scene of the emergency. Meanwhile, the SVK Ministry of the Interior has already dispatched six firefighters of the SVK Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) along with three fire engines and one water tanker lorry to the region.
Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Yesterday evening I was informed of the serious situation by Slovenian Defence Minister Marjan Šarec who was visiting the affected area. A number of villages have had to be evacuated as the wildfire has crossed from neighbouring Italy into western Slovenia. In these circumstances, every minute counts – I appreciate the flexibility of our Fire and Rescue Service.” He added that the Slovak Armed Forces are well prepared for firefighting missions – even in support of our Allies – as part of disaster response operations.
Interior Minister Roman Mikulec said: “This morning our Fire and Rescue Service crews set out on a journey to Slovenia, so that they would arrive just in time and ready for a firefighting response after our helicopter touches down there. Our members of the SVK Fire and Rescue Service will be fully available to assist our colleagues. I would like to thank all the elements of the Interior Ministry for coordinating this effort so quickly. I keep my fingers crossed for our lads on the ground and I wish them a speedy journey home in good health.”
The deployment to Slovenia of SVK Air Force personnel and FRS firefighters with air and ground assets was approved by the Cabinet at its extraordinary meeting earlier this morning. They will stay in Slovenia as long as needed to contain the wildfire with local fire teams.
Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď said: “Yesterday evening I was informed of the serious situation by Slovenian Defence Minister Marjan Šarec who was visiting the affected area. A number of villages have had to be evacuated as the wildfire has crossed from neighbouring Italy into western Slovenia. In these circumstances, every minute counts – I appreciate the flexibility of our Fire and Rescue Service.” He added that the Slovak Armed Forces are well prepared for firefighting missions – even in support of our Allies – as part of disaster response operations.
Interior Minister Roman Mikulec said: “This morning our Fire and Rescue Service crews set out on a journey to Slovenia, so that they would arrive just in time and ready for a firefighting response after our helicopter touches down there. Our members of the SVK Fire and Rescue Service will be fully available to assist our colleagues. I would like to thank all the elements of the Interior Ministry for coordinating this effort so quickly. I keep my fingers crossed for our lads on the ground and I wish them a speedy journey home in good health.”
The deployment to Slovenia of SVK Air Force personnel and FRS firefighters with air and ground assets was approved by the Cabinet at its extraordinary meeting earlier this morning. They will stay in Slovenia as long as needed to contain the wildfire with local fire teams.
