Lithuanian authorities are preparing a law aimed at the development of voluntary firefighters crews in towns and villages across the country. Townships around the capital Vilnius already have such squads.
Lithuanian authorities are preparing a law aimed at the development of voluntary firefighters crews in towns and villages across the country. Townships around the capital Vilnius already have such squads.
Voluntary firefighters around Vilnius have been assisting the professionals for almost 15 years. Such crews have their own uniform, lodgement and even equipment.
Volunteers say they are motivated by idealism and join the crew in their free time. Funds required for such activities come from sponsors or from performing various service orders.
In the nearest future, Lithuanian Parliament is going to start the debate on the draft law aimed at creating regulations on voluntary fire brigades activity, with adding certain provisions to motivate volunteers – such as a modest monetary compensation for their input, or else provide social insurance.
The Draft also includes the denotation that volunteers should be healthy and fit adults and should complete a special course.
However, voluntary firefighters stress that their work is very difficult, so they are sceptical if the Law would motivate more colleagues to join.
ARUNAS VAISNORAS, Chairman of the Vilnius Region Voluntary Firefighters Association:
Sponsors are of vital importance. On our part, we are ready to work and use every opportunity when it comes – for example during movie shootings on set. Such jobs help us make money. Voluntary firefighters leaving for the fire
VYGANDAS KURKULIS, representative of Fire Prevention and Rescue Department:
We will seek that volunteers would have at least basic knowledge about fire-fighter work, because it is a dangerous activity, and once volunteers appear on site, they should know how to co-ordinate. Voluntary firefighters use their equipment
ARUNAS VAISNORAS, Chairman of theVilnius Region Voluntary Firefighters Association:
It might take roots, but only in separate cases and separate places, at least in the nearest future. Why do I say so? There are several reasons. First, if a person thinks of being a volunteer, he either must be an altruist or make enough money for living to devote his time for voluntary activity.
