Special firefighter intervention unit

77 members of Zagreb fire department are olso members of Republic founded special firefighter intervention unit. They are specially trained for fighting forest fires and others catastrophic events in Croatia and in neighboring countries.

In summer time they are been deployed on the Adriatic see in five logistic bases: Dubrovnik, Zadar, Sibenik and Zadar.

Often are they transported by the helicopters to fire scene. Because of that they carry specially designed equipment like:

Fyr Pak Backpack Pump - This lightweight, portable unit is mounted in a padded adjustable backpack frame and pumps up to 220 PSI. Pump has a separate fuel tank.
Fyr Flote Portable Floating Pumps - These are lightweight, portable, centrifugal pumps mounted on an unsinkable, high-strength polyethylene float with dual carrying handles and splash suppression collar. The Fyr Flote units weigh only 49 lb. but can reach pressures of up to 175 PSI, depending on the unit.

They carry all equipment with themselves-sleeping bags, drinking water, food, tools like chainsaws, axes, hoses, gas, etc, because they must be completely independent from logistic for some times.

 

 

These members are trained for:
• work with helicopters and Canadair airplanes
• descent from helicopter
• basic rope rescue systems
• long marched walks
• first aid
• orientation

Excellent psychical shape is very important, and testing of shape is conducted every year before the summer season.
Test is made up of:

• Running (Cooper test)
• Pushups
• Long jump
• Triple Jump
• Sit-ups
• Stretching test

By the age of 35 they are released from service in special unit.
As they are similar to the famous US smoke jumpers they are often called Croatian smoke jumpers