We will try to equip two more helicopters for firefighting in quick order. We currently have 185 people in the field, with 34 units of combat equipment. At almost all outbreaks where we now have activities, our servicemen are on the ground.
This was promised by the Acting Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov after the Security Council of the Council of Ministers, convened because of the fires in the country. Zapryanov specified that about BGN 250,000 will be needed, and the funds are for the so-called water pockets, with which military vehicles can carry water to the scene of the fire.
„It turned out that helicopters are the most effective. This was reported by all colleagues who were engaged in firefighting. We have two helicopters that operate continuously. A minimum of ten hours of flights per day are carried out by aircraft. Over 656 actual deliveries of water to the fires were carried out, over 1,300 tons of water were transported and used for extinguishing, he reported.
„We currently have 185 people on the ground, with 34 units of combat equipment. Almost at all outbreaks where we now have activities, our servicemen are on the spot, assured the Minister of Defense. We keep one helicopter ready if it is necessary to save lives or evacuate people trapped in the fire, Zapryanov also said.
He emphasized that today's meeting also discussed the issue of a possible increase in firefighting aircraft, writes BTA.
Zapryanov assured that all fire formations are ready. Across the country, there are a total of 22 – 15 in southern Bulgaria and seven - in northern Bulgaria.
„Regardless of the heavy bureaucratic procedure of application by the mayors, municipalities, regional governors, we have ignored the documentary preparation of the permits. Directly, at the request, with the verbal permission of the Minister of Defense, of the Chief of Defense, the formations act. The criticism that the procedure is difficult is not true," the Minister of Defense also said after the meeting of the Security Council of the Council of Ministers.