Government to equip two more firefighting helicopters soon

The caretaker government will equip two more helicopters for firefighting as soon as possible. 250,000 BGN will be needed for the purchase of so-called "water bags" for the helicopters.

"Helicopters are the most effective. We have two that operate continuously and we maintain another one to rescue people when necessary. We will try to buy equipment for two more helicopters in the short term because it turned out that the two Czech helicopters are of great help," caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said.

The Council also discussed the possibility of shortening as much as possible the deadlines for compensation for the victims. All those affected by the fire can receive up to BGN 1,578 from the Social Assistance Agency for emergency needs.

A fund under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food will pay compensation to legal entities and people registered as farmers who have lost their animals or had crops destroyed. A compensation mechanism will also be sought for individuals who have lost farm animals, caretaker Finance Minister Lyudmila Petkova assured.

It is yet to be decided how to support people who have lost their homes. It is also possible to look for an option for temporary accommodation of families who need it.

Caretaker Prime Minister, Dimitar Glavchev, once again praised the work of the services and institutions.

"We have not stopped working since the beginning of the disaster. I have spoken to firefighters with 20-30 years of experience and they say they have never seen such a thing.

From the visits I have made, I have not seen any lapses, nor have I heard any remarks. The only place with differing opinions on this issue was at the village of Voden, but there were different opinions there. In all the other places the residents were extremely grateful to those who had saved their lives and property. It is an outstanding achievement that there were no casualties," he pointed out.

The Security Council meeting was attended by leaders of parliamentary parties, the ministers of finance, transport, social policy, energy, the deputy ministers of interior and agriculture, and representatives of the presidency and the security services.

It was decided to continue the interaction between the various institutions.

"Everyone united around congratulations and thanks to the firefighters, servicemen and volunteers on the ground, I think there were not many different opinions on the functioning of the whole activity from the executive authorities about the organization as well," Glavchev said.

"The reports of the security services were heard within the council. On the part of the parliament, a desire and ambition for joint work and a common solution for the victims of the fires was expressed," said Temenuzhka Petkova of GERB-UDF.

We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria described the meeting as useful, but a bit late.

"A very useful meeting - very constructive, a bit late. Let's see what the National Assembly can do to help the Council of Ministers. Today, after this discussion, there will be specific decisions that will be tabled and considered. You know, the decision to purchase new equipment requires planning in the state budget. There are solutions that can be found quickly. This was the approach when the floods happened last year," said Nikolay Denkov from WCC-DB.

The socialist party BSP also believes that the Council has been helpful.

"Quite a pragmatic proposal from the Ministry of Finance on what aircraft to buy and what are the possibilities for the available ones, to also make a comprehensive program of the National Assembly to equip the fire department for rapid response. We hope that this will be discussed early next week. This Council has been helpful. What needs to be done now is to compensate the people and make them feel supported and next to buy equipment," said Borislav Gutsanov of the BSP.

There is Such a People called for common sense.

"We have Cougar helicopters. They can buy so-called 'water bags' to put out these fires. There are ideas to purchase flying equipment, but it will be two years until the crew is trained. I hope there is wisdom in all the leaders in this country so that more tragedies like this are prevented.

We are in a situation where we are showing that all actions are reactive after events occur. We are discussing what should be done after the events occur - what machinery should be bought and what money should be given to fill the holes in the budget. They are throwing the country into chaos for their own ego," said Stanislav Balabanov of “There is Such a People”.