While the Croatian Firefighting Association warns of drone dangers after the incident near Vrsi, the Zlarin Volunteer Fire Department highlights chronic issues with the helipad and irresponsible visitor behavior.
The Croatian Firefighting Association (HVZ) issued an urgent appeal on Tuesday urging citizens to stop using drones and interfering with firefighting operations. The warning comes after a recent incident near the settlement of Vrsi in Zadar County, where an operation involving firefighting aircraft had to be halted. Meanwhile, firefighters from the Zlarin Volunteer Fire Department have pointed to their own pressing issue, an impassable helipad and careless behavior by curious onlookers.
HVZ emphasized that the presence of drones in the firefighting zone directly endangers the safety of aircraft crews and firefighters on the ground. In a statement reported by Zadarski list, they detailed potential catastrophic consequences. "A drone striking a firefighting aircraft could seriously damage or even bring down the aircraft. If aircraft crews spot a drone in the operational zone, they will immediately halt the firefighting operation, which complicates the situation on the ground multiple times over," HVZ stated.
In addition to drones, boats approaching areas where aircraft are scooping water from the sea or lakes also pose a problem. Citizens are urged not to approach the fire site on foot or by vehicle to film or take photos, as this disrupts the intervention and puts themselves in direct danger.
"We once again warn citizens, do not use drones to film fire sites and do not disrupt firefighting or other emergency operations for the sake of filming, curiosity, or entertainment. Any unauthorized drone filming of a fire will be reported to the police," reads the appeal from the Croatian Firefighting Association, as reported by N1 Hrvatska.
HVZ reminds citizens to immediately call firefighters at 193 if they spot a fire. For additional information, Vedran Runjić is listed as the contact person.
While HVZ's appeal addresses dangers from the air and sea, firefighters on Zlarin are dealing with problems on the ground. The Zlarin Volunteer Fire Department took to social media to warn that for the third time this summer, the helipad is impassable and unsecured. In a post reported by DalmacijaDanas, they ironically highlighted the absurdity of the situation: it was easier to evacuate about two hundred bathers from the beach, temporarily close a beach bar, and remove hazardous objects than to make the helipad operational for emergency rescue.
Besides infrastructure issues, Zlarin firefighters also point to irresponsible visitor behavior. During interventions, they have to push through crowds, and curious onlookers, including children, approach emergency vehicles. "The unbearable art of ignoring deserves an award if one exists," the Zlarin Volunteer Fire Department sharply stated, appealing to citizens and guests to respect firefighters' instructions and allow them to work unhindered.
Firefighters from Zlarin stress that in crisis situations, every second can be crucial. Responsible behavior by all present can mean the difference between a swift, successful intervention and serious consequences. The appeals from both firefighting institutions, although from different locations, share the same message: curiosity and irresponsibility of individuals directly endanger lives and hinder the work of those who save them.
