In line with the guidelines by the Government, this year's firefighting season started on 15 May and members of the CAF who are engaged in fighting fires have been ready for that mission of national interest since 1 May. The Headquarters of the Firefighting Task Forces (PP NOS) of the CAF was established at that time with a task to provide assistance and support to firefighting units. It is situated in the barracks ?Knez Trpimir? at Divulje, and MG Mate Obradović was appointed Commander for the third time. A total of 425 members of the CAF?s Firefighting Task Forces carry out all tasks very successfully. In addition to fighting fires this applies also to firefighting reconnaissance of islands and coastal area of the Republic of Croatia, transportation of forces and assets, supply with water of the fire-fighters and population and search and rescue operations.

They had their first firefighting activities already on 18 May and until conclusion of this issue of the magazine they took part in fighting twelve fires.

Besides members of the CAF?s Firefighting Task Forces, among whom there are 168 members of the Croatian Army from ranks of the Guards brigades, 196 members of the CAiF and AD and 52 members of the Croatian Navy as well as the team from structure of the Battalion for Special Operations participate in fighting fires as well as five Canadairs CL-415 and six Air Tractors AT-802F/A , one Pilatus PC-9 from the 93rd AB Zemunik, helicopters Bell 206B and Mi-8 and Mi-171 Sh that are placed in the AB Divulje, while one helicopter is on duty at Lučko near Zagreb. In addition to aircraft of the CAiF, ships of the Croatian Navy that are located in Split harbor Lora are also at disposal to CAF?s Firefighting Task Forces, and these are Landing ship mine layer and Landing- assault ship and rubber boats.

Members of the CAF?s Firefighting Task Forces are deployed to several locations. Most of them are in the south ? from the islands of Brijuni to Mljet and they can react as soon as possible as required and their operations are coordinated with members of fire brigades.