The Volunteer Fire Department (DVD) of Loznica threw quite the show yesterday on the square in front of SC Lagator, but not because of fireworks — it was all about firefighting gear and a brand new jeep! Yes, you read that right, a jeep! The mining giant Rio Tinto decided to back the local heroes with a rugged Isuzu vehicle worth 50,000 euros. But while DVD proudly flaunts their new ride and donations worth around 20,000 euros for compressors and isolation devices, the real drama lies in their working conditions. They have 40 trained members and over 60 volunteers, yet they don’t even have a garage for their vehicles! Their equipment storage is still being sorted out, and the space the city will provide is way too small. The professional fire-rescue unit of Loznica is often called to fight open fires, and DVD is there to help — but under what conditions? Rio Tinto boasts about supporting local communities for 21 years, but is that enough? The European Commission declared the Jadar project strategically important for the EU, yet local firefighters still struggle with basic problems. While they show off donations and new vehicles, the real fight for citizens’ safety goes on without proper support. Think this is just another feel-good donation story? Think again. DVD Loznica is a prime example of local heroes battling bureaucracy and lack of resources, while big companies keep playing the good deed card. So, what do you think? Is a jeep really enough to put out all the fires? Drop a comment, maybe together we’ll find a solution — or at least a good joke about firefighters and jeeps!
