[ad_1]
It defines firefighting support activities as those in the public interest. According to sources after the government meeting, these activities are conducted as national aviation activities.
Aerial firefighting activities by State units fall within the exception of the civil aviation sector, as it is under the responsibility and control of the State and is performed in the public interest.
At the same time, the Government today determined that the aircraft, personnel and organization of the National Aerial Firefighting Unit are an integral part of the national activities. The operational qualification requirements for personnel carrying out aerial firefighting support, aerial operations and the organization of the national unit will be determined by the Protection and Rescue Administration in accordance with local legislation.
According to the press release, the implementation of the requirements and the control of the security management system will be organized within the framework of the Ministry of Defense.
In October 2022, the government decided that the Slovenian Army’s new Spartan military transport aircraft could also be used for aerial firefighting. Last December, Minister Marjan Šarec received the first aircraft at Cerklje ob Krka Airport, and next year, expected at the end of June, they plan to deliver the firefighting module, and training on its use is planned for the second half of 2025. Last year, Šarec also signed an agreement to purchase another Spartan aircraft, which is expected to arrive in Slovenia by the end of this year.
In December 2022, the government approved the purchase of four small tractor firefighting aircraft, with an option for two more. The first batch of air tractors arrived in Slovenia last year. These are two-seater aircraft equipped with floats that can take water from rivers, lakes and seas. Two more single-seat air tractors arrived in Slovenia in May and June this year.
In addition to the above capabilities, last year the government also purchased four additional bags for helicopter firefighting and four basins for collecting water.
The aircraft unit is based in Brnik.
Prior to this summer, the ministry estimated that it would take several more years for the unit to function fully independently, given the extremely short time between the decision to purchase the aircraft and the establishment of a dedicated civilian unit under the auspices of the Protection and Rescue Administration.
[ad_2]
Source link
