Firefighters Demand Urgent Investment After Međimurje Blazes
Volunteer fire departments in Pribislavec and Štefanec warn of inadequate working conditions, while local authorities announce projects but also point to procedures.
Volunteer fire departments in Pribislavec and Štefanec warn of inadequate working conditions, while local authorities announce projects but also point to procedures.
Two major fires that broke out within just 48 hours at companies in Međimurje have once again brought to the forefront the long-standing problems faced by volunteer fire departments. After a blaze engulfed the warehouse of MEC company in Pribislavec on July 14, 2026, another fire broke out at PIB Extra in neighboring Štefanec on July 15, 2026.
In both cases, firefighters responded quickly and carried out demanding operations, but questions about their equipment and working conditions have also come to the fore. Petar Hajdinjak, president of the Pribislavec Volunteer Fire Department (DVD), and commander David Dodlek, both members of the Pribislavec Municipal Council, warn that the lack of a suitable fire station is among the biggest challenges.
The department currently operates out of a building that also houses municipal offices and a community center, which is not suitable for firefighting needs. Over the past twelve months, at several meetings, Hajdinjak and Dodlek have raised questions about when construction of a new station would begin.
The latest information from the municipal administration indicates that an agreement has been reached to build a new fire station at the Malinščak location. However, since this is a greenfield site, changes to the spatial plan are necessary before work on the project documentation can begin. Only after that can design work start, followed by construction itself.
"We have carried out numerous operations, and the conditions we work in are not suitable for providing firefighting services. Despite that, our members are always ready to help citizens, as they prove time and again at every intervention," said Petar Hajdinjak, president of the Pribislavec Volunteer Fire Department.
The municipal budget has set aside 50,000 euros for the preparation of project documentation for the new fire station, while around 24,000 euros is allocated annually for the regular operation of the Pribislavec Volunteer Fire Department.
The day after the fire in Pribislavec, on July 15, 2026, a session of the Čakovec City Council was held. Council member Sebastian Petek, who also serves as president of the Štefanec Local Committee Council, expressed gratitude to firefighters for their swift response during the firefighting efforts in Pribislavec, both on his own behalf and on behalf of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Croatian Veterans Toma Medved.
Petek posed a question to Čakovec Mayor Ljerka Cividini regarding the procurement of a fire engine for the Štefanec Volunteer Fire Department, highlighting problems with water supply during the operation.
"During the intervention, there were certain issues with water, and it's clear that in such fires, having as much water as possible is crucial. In Štefanec, there is also, and I hope I'm not in a conflict of interest, a wood industry that poses a certain fire risk," said Sebastian Petek, council member of the Čakovec City Council, referring to PIB Extra, a company owned by him and his family.
According to Petek, the Štefanec Volunteer Fire Department has raised approximately half of the required amount from its own funds and donations, and he asked whether the City of Čakovec would be willing to assist in procuring a fire engine within the next six months to a year. Ironically, just a day after the session, a fire broke out at that very company in Štefanec.
Mayor Ljerka Cividini responded that a recent audit showed the City allocates more than the legally required amount for fire departments. She emphasized that funds are given to the Čakovec Firefighting Community, which then distributes the resources.
"Regarding investments in volunteer fire departments, we recently had an audit, and it was concluded that the City allocates more than legally required. We give money to the Čakovec Firefighting Community, which then distributes the funds. The same will happen in 2027. If you noticed, today we have a budget amendment before us, and the funds for fire departments are not changing since there was no need. Investments in vehicles should be communicated with the leadership of the Čakovec Firefighting Community," was the mayor's response to the council member.
As the Međimurje newspaper reports, residents of Krištanovec and Mačkovec have also become active, believing that additional funds should be invested in their fire departments to prevent similar unfortunate events.
