Kolekcionar vatrogasnog znakovlja

Dobrovoljno vatrogasno društvo Veliki Grđevac stožerno je vatrogasno društvo u istoimenoj općini. Osnovano je još 1901. godine, čime se ubraja među najstarija društva u tom kraju. U ožujku 2025. godine svečano je otvoren obnovljeni vatrogasni dom, s novim spremištem i garažom. Projekt je sufinancirala Agencija za plaćanja u poljoprivredi, ribarstvu i ruralnom razvoju s iznosom od 277 tisuća eura, dok je Općina Veliki Grđevac osigurala dodatnih 39 tisuća eura. Vatrogastvo na ruralnom području predstavlja važnu tradiciju koja se prenosi s generacije na generaciju. Vatrogasci su u većini sela nositelji brojnih društvenih aktivnosti i važan čimbenik zajednice.

Od opreme Društvo raspolaže kvalitetnim navalnim vozilom namijenjenim tehničkim intervencijama te kombi-vozilom s devet sjedala, opremljenim visokotlačnim modulom. U planu je nabava dodatnog terenskog vozila, prilagođenog zahtjevnijim uvjetima, što je razumljivo s obzirom na pretežito poljoprivredni karakter područja i česte intervencije na poljima i izvan naselja. Pomladak je organiziran ponajprije kroz školu, u sklopu aktivnosti „Mali vatrogasac“. O prosječnom godišnjem broju intervencija teško je govoriti, jer se on znatno razlikuje od godine do godine — neke su iznimno zahtjevne, dok su druge obilježene uglavnom uvježbavanjima. U svakom slučaju, Društvo odlikuje brz izlazak na intervencije i dobra operativna spremnost, uz uvijek dovoljan broj raspoloživih vatrogasaca.

The Voluntary Fire Brigade Veliki Grđevac is the central fire service in the municipality of the same name. Founded in 1901, it ranks among the oldest fire brigades in the area. In March 2025, the renovated fire station was ceremoniously opened, featuring new storage facilities and a garage. The project was co-financed by the Agency for Payments in Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development with an amount of €277,000, while the Municipality of Veliki Grđevac provided an additional €39,000. Firefighting in rural areas represents an important tradition passed down from generation to generation. In most villages, firefighters are key drivers of social activities and an essential part of the community.

In terms of equipment, the Brigade operates a high-quality fire engine intended for technical interventions, as well as a van with nine seats equipped with a high-pressure module. Plans are in place to acquire an additional off-road vehicle suited to more demanding terrain, which is understandable given the predominantly agricultural nature of the area and the frequent interventions in fields and outside populated areas. The youth section is primarily organized through the local school, within the framework of the “Young Firefighter” program. It is difficult to determine an average annual number of interventions, as it varies significantly from year to year—some years are highly demanding, while others are largely characterized by training activities. In any case, the Brigade is distinguished by its rapid response and strong operational readiness, with a sufficient number of firefighters always available.