Firefighter Reacts: “We Get Food Only When Ministers and Media Visit Fire Sites”

A young volunteering firefighter reacted to the statement from the president of the Fire Department, who said his firemen get multiple quality meals a day

A couple of days ago, president of the Fire Department of the Šibenik-Knin County Zoran Smolić stated that his firefighters get quality, diverse meals. It was intended as a reaction to a horrible photo that was published in social media, one that showed our firemen were donated food packages whose expiration date passed three years ago.

Šime Severdija, a college student and volunteering firefighter at the Fire Department Zaton responded to Smolić’s despicable comment in a Facebook post last night. Here’s what he had to say:

“Dear sir, dear president of the Fire Department of the Šibenik-Knin County, I want to use this opportunity to tell you that your statement is sad and shameful.

Could you please explain who exactly makes breakfast, lunch and dinner for us firemen who are out in the field day and night? Where was lunch yesterday, when the area of Vodice was on fire, when I spent almost 9 hours in the field with my colleagues?

How many meals were prepared during 120 interventions logged by my intervention group? Not all 120 lasted over 6 hours, but we’ve seen at least 50 of those.

Breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner were distributed ONLY during those exoduses – those fires that were attended by the ministers, the army, the media. That might be 2-3% of the total number of interventions.

You should be ashamed for saying that the food is better at the fire sites than at our homes, as I can’t stand to see cans of luncheon meat anymore. In order to get even such a lacking meal, we have to spend anywhere form 8 to 10 hours in the field, walking multiple kilometres with 25 kilos of equipment on our backs.

Stained with soot, tired and hungry, we get home only to read these statements of yours. Mr. Smolić, I don’t know you personally, but I respect you and your position in society.

I expect you to show respect for us, the little people, who keep risking their lives for 3600 kuna a month (3600 kuna that are 13 days late this month). The last thing we need are statements like yours.

PS. I’ve seen you a couple of times, only at the annual meetings of the Fire Department that take place in January. It would be nice if you could pay us a visit in these dreary days. You can come empty-handed. For coffee.

 

Best regards.”

 

 

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