The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro has submitted an initiative to the Government of Montenegro requesting that dedicated funds be allocated in the 2026 State Budget for the procurement of firefighting vehicles and equipment for municipal protection and rescue services, with a particular focus on municipalities that are beneficiaries of the Equalization Fund.
As stated in the letter addressed to Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, investment in the protection and rescue system must become a national priority.
According to estimates, the procurement cost of a modern firefighting vehicle ranges from EUR 300,000 to EUR 350,000. The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro proposes that at least the municipalities benefiting from the Equalization Fund receive one new vehicle during the next fiscal year. As stated in the initiative, this would represent the first step toward the systematic renewal and modernization of equipment, much of which has not been replaced in many municipalities for more than fifteen years.
The Union of Municipalities also recalls that the Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction identifies the strengthening of the technical capacities of protection and rescue services as one of its key objectives, and expresses the expectation that the Government of Montenegro will consider this request as part of the budget planning process for the coming year.
The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro is ready to work together with the Directorate for Protection and Rescue and the Ministry of the Interior to provide full support in defining municipal priorities and needs, ensuring that the allocated funds are directed to the most vulnerable and most urgently needed local protection and rescue services.
Namely, in most municipalities, firefighting vehicles are more than 15 years old, often technically unreliable and insufficiently equipped for modern emergency interventions. Of the total 246 vehicles operated by municipal protection and rescue services, only 145 are fully operational. This means that in emergency situations, when every second counts, rescue personnel are often forced to respond using outdated and unreliable equipment.
Municipal protection and rescue services are the primary operational pillar of Montenegro’s protection and rescue system. During this year’s wildfire season, firefighters were on the front line of defense, often working for days without rest and under immense pressure and risk. Their courage and dedication, however, cannot compensate for the lack of equipment and technical resources.
Local protection and rescue services are the first responders in every emergency situation—from everyday fires and traffic accidents to floods and complex rescue operations. The Union of Municipalities of Montenegro believes that investing in firefighting vehicles and equipment is not an expense, but an investment in people's lives and safety. Climate change, along with increasingly frequent and severe storms, floods, and wildfires, requires modern, well-equipped services capable of responding quickly, effectively, and safely.
Aware of budgetary constraints, the Union of Municipalities of Montenegro is convinced that investing in the protection and rescue system yields multiple benefits and, in the long term, saves lives. This is not merely an expenditure—it is a strategic investment in a safer Montenegro. The Union of Municipalities remains committed to being a partner in all initiatives that strengthen the resilience of our communities.
