Božinović said that Komlenac was one of the most competent and best-trained firefighters at the Dubrovnik public fire service and that he died as a hero trying to save others. He added that the government would take care of his wife and two small children.
Božinović said that right now Croatia had four Canadairs and four Air Tractors, adding that Defence Minister Mario Banožić would talk to the Aircraft Repair and Maintenance Centre to ensure that another Canadair and another Air Tractor were ready for use within the next few days.
Božinović noted that Croatia had initiated joint procurement through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and would be among the first to get new Canadair planes.
“There will be a growing need for joint firefighting forces, but this will be least necessary in Croatia because we are possibly best organised. Our Canadairs helped put out wildfires in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Slovenia, we help others whenever we can,” he said.
The Orašac wildfire is under control and the site is being guarded by 30 firefighters, county fire chief Stjepan Simović said.
President Zoran Milanović, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and Parliament Speaker Gordan Jandroković have extended their condolences on the death of the firefighter Goran Komlenac.
