An Airbus AS350 helicopter, purchased by the Government of the Zenica-Doboj Canton (ZDC) for the needs of civil protection, police, and the health sector of ZDC, landed yesterday on the helipad at the headquarters of the Special Police Unit of the ZDC Ministry of the Internal Affairs in the Zenica neighborhood of Lukovo Polje. The procurement of the helicopter cost around 8.2 million BAM, and it is equipped with modern and advanced equipment for various tasks, including firefighting, transporting persons, and emergency medical evacuation.
ZDC Prime Minister Nezir Pivic expressed satisfaction that the procurement had been realized in a very short period of time, for which the public call had been announced at the beginning of this summer.
“This can be a formula for how a government should work. Regardless of which political parties are involved, we have shown unity. If this helicopter saves even one life, we have fulfilled our mission,” Pivic said, emphasizing that they have demonstrated readiness to implement numerous other projects important for citizens.
Pilot Vahidin Dino Mahmutovic emphasized that the true value of this procurement and its significance for the safety of citizens will only be seen in the coming period, that is, during its use.
“This is an exceptional helicopter. Honestly, you can be proud of what you have done,” Mahmutovic said, adding that this is a historic moment.
The helicopter will be stationed in the hangar of the Cantonal Civil Protection Administration of ZDC, and the director of that administration, Dzavid Alicic, announced that within the next three months, it will also receive additional equipment, for which a contract has already been signed, and that the helicopter will be ready for operations by the next fire season.
The ZDC Minister of Environment, Transport and Communications, Adnan Sabani, underlined that the aircraft will not be only a ZDC helicopter and at the service of the citizens and services of that canton, but will be available to all other cantons as well.
He also announced the imminent signing of a contract with the Cantonal Hospital in Travnik.
