The territorial fire unit in Bitola has received new vehicles - among them off-road trucks and a water tanker, meant for faster response and more effective firefighting in forested and rural areas. The equipment will serve not only Bitola but also the neighbouring municipalities of Novaci and Mogila, with the capacity to be deployed across the region.

The vehicles allow for „a faster response, better mobility on inaccessible terrain and more effective fire management,” according to the announcement. Mayor Toni Konjanovski stressed: „As the largest municipality in the region and the founder of Bitola's territorial fire unit, we understand the challenges firefighters face on the ground.”

The detail worth highlighting is where the money came from. The equipment was secured through the „FIREFLY” project - a cross-border initiative for protection and prevention of forest fires, funded by the EU's Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance under the Greece-North Macedonia cooperation programme 2021-2027. In other words, European money for firefighting kit - exactly the kind of support that rarely makes headlines but actually helps.

Ahead of fire season, a new water tanker and off-road vehicles are real work, not a ceremony. The question that remains is whether this kit will come with enough trained firefighters and maintenance - because new vehicles without people and without servicing soon turn into expensive parked exhibits. For now, at least, Bitola heads into summer better prepared than it was last year.