SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

The water quickly flooded the buildings. The enormous volume of water could not be contained or diverted, triggering a large number of landslides. The water brought with it debris (sand, stones, trees, stumps and trunks), washed away bridges and destroyed transport infrastructure.

Firefighters had their hands full, having to intervene at more than 350 locations. In addition to houses, fire stations, a primary school, a sports hall and a cultural hall (the hall where cultural events are held was completely destroyed) were flooded.

More than 100 firefighters from the Fire Brigades Association of Slovenia were on the ground and, despite the fact that their homes were also somewhat damaged and they had a sleepless night behind them, they tirelessly helped to the best of their abilities. 

Mr Ivan Kropivnik, who has been a firefighter since 1968 and is now retired, recalls those days with tears in his eyes: 'What a weather disaster that was!' 

First, he explains what it was like when he was a firefighter: "We didn't have breathing masks in the old days. We drove around in a small van with a Ciglar sprinkler. Since then, firefighters have modernised a lot." 

He remembers that whenever there was a fire, there were always a lot of people watching, and a lot of people volunteered to help. They took what they could from the scene. They were always complimented by the villagers after the job was done. Housewives from neighbouring houses always served them snacks, drinks, coffee, biscuits, etc.

As he had been a proud member of the fire brigade for many years, he presented the local fire brigade with a statue of St Florian (patron saint of firefighters), which he carved out of wood. 

When the floods hit our town, he and his wife were unable to help with the physical work due to illness, but his wife fried up a lot of flan, and together they made two big pots of coffee, which they took to the firefighters and other volunteers who helped clean up the flooded hall of the cultural centre in the primary school as a token of their gratitude. They told them that they appreciated their work and that we were all very grateful that they were there to help. 

"At that moment, we were at least helping them a little in their work, even if directly. When the floods hit our town, we were all extremely proud of all the volunteers and firefighters who stood together and unhesitatingly came to the aid of anyone who needed it. They carried water, pumped it out of residential and commercial buildings, helped to transport sick people and evacuated people from buildings at risk. They selflessly helped people who were left homeless and/or without property. 

They were true heroes for us. We are proud to have among us people who are willing to help without expecting anything in return, and in those moments we all felt the importance of being part of a united and solidary community."

Maja Grošelj, 7 May 2025