NEWS
Prime Minister Alenka Bratušek receives Heads of the Slovenian Fire Fighting Association
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Alenka Bratušek, today met with the Heads of the Slovenian Fire Fighting Association. Anton Koren, President of the Slovenian Fire Fighting Association, gave a brief presentation of the Association's activities, which are currently focused on preparations for the 16th Congress to be held next Saturday. The Prime Minister expressed the Government's full support to the fire fighting service, being well-aware that Slovenian fire fighters are an extremely important part of our society who provides the highest possible level of security against natural disasters to the population. Prime Minister Bratušek particularly highlighted the importance of commitment demonstrated by volunteer fire fighters.
According to the latest data, the Slovenian Fire Fighting Association has more than 150,000 members and their number is still increasing. There are 30,000 female members and a growing number of young people who have a special role in terms of both generation boost and special training programmes. Particular attention is paid to veterans who no longer actively participate in rescue operations but still remain the faithful members of the Association. At the end of the meeting, the Prime Minister expressed her satisfaction that the crisis has not had a strong impact on the firefigthing service, although the measures did affect professional fire fighters to some extent. The firefighting service continues to be of key importance in rescue operations during natural disasters and also has a special social role of bringing people together, since fire stations also serve as places of meetings and reunions to the rest of population. All those present also paid tribute to the very important role played by the deceased Miran Bogataj in the development of the Slovenian firefigthing service through his committed work.