Voluntary Firefighters Denied State Aid After Supporting Student Movement, Serbia

A voluntary firefighting society in Serbia alleges that state funding has been withheld because of their support for the Student Movement. Predrag Matović, president of the "Padobranac" Voluntary Firefighting Society in Bogutovac, near Kraljevo, stated that the state has denied them budget funds. This comes as society members have been actively engaged in extinguishing fires on Stolovi mountain for 20 days, working alongside professional firefighters.

Matović explained that the issues began after they backed the Student Movement. The city of Kraljevo rejected their project proposal to purchase a vehicle worth 500,000 dinars, which would significantly improve their response time to fires. Despite this setback, the society has received substantial support from students and citizens, who have provided necessary equipment and supplies for the firefighters on the ground.

"We don't have a vehicle, but through donations from students and citizens, we have managed to secure the necessary equipment and supplies for the firefighters in the field," Matović said. He highlighted that ten members hold fire-fighting certificates and that many volunteers from across Serbia have offered their assistance. Recently, 40 volunteers from Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Kraljevo were present at the Stolovi fire site.

Matović emphasized the far-reaching consequences of the state's negative stance. He argued that having proper vehicles would make their efforts more efficient and productive, enabling quicker responses that could prevent larger damages to nature and property. The speed of arrival at a fire scene is crucial for minimizing destruction, he added.