Prague 3 will set up a unit of the volunteer fire brigade
The procedure was criticized by some opposition representatives, according to whom the town hall management did not deal sufficiently with the two churches that operate in Prague 3.
Volunteer fire brigades are civic associations that focus mainly on leisure activities or educational events. The units are already officially setting up municipalities or city districts and can, if necessary, cooperate with professional firefighters on trips.
According to the mayor Jiří Ptáček (TOP 09), the new unit will operate as unclassified for the time being and will start participating in trips and other activities as soon as possible. “I would like us to have a unit consolidated by the summer so that it is joined alongside to join as a fire brigade,” he said.
Tomáš Horský, the mayor of the Prague – Žižkov Voluntary Fire Brigade, who is a professional firefighter and, according to Ptáček, has an excellent qualification, will become the unit’s director. In addition, there is also the Volunteer Fire Brigade Prague 3, its members will be able to participate in the activities of the unit, as well as any other interested party.
Opposition representative Tomáš Kalivoda (ODS) criticized that the mayor did not involve a representative of the Prague 3 Volunteer Fire Brigade in the meeting, and demanded that the point be postponed. According to him, the proposed form favored only one of the churches. “You don’t even know what the other church can be, and in the end it can be to your advantage,” he said. “Of course, I was in contact with both churches,” the mayor said, adding that the establishment had been discussed for a long time and there was no reason to postpone it.
Volunteer firefighters intervene not only to extinguish fires, but also, for example, during floods, when they help with the evacuation of residents, pumping water or repairing damage. According to earlier information, there are 24 units of volunteer firefighters in Prague, which are for interventions throughout the city. Another 14 units are set aside only for the given city district. The units set up the municipality and depend on its budget. The village owns all the equipment. The commander is in charge of the mayor. There are over 2,500 volunteer firefighters in Prague.