Organizational Structure of Fire Protection in the FBiH, Bosnia and Herzegovina
The organizational setup of fire protection in Bosnia and Herzegovina is based on a multi-tiered system that includes state, entity, cantonal, and local levels of government. Coordination is ensured by the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which plays a central role in harmonizing civil protection strategies and responses across the country. Operational responsibilities, however, are delegated to the entities, cantons, and municipalities.
Organizational scheme of the fire management in the FBiH, Bosnia and Herzegovina
In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH), fire protection is divided into two categories:
- Fire protection in forests
- Fire protection in other open areas
The organization of fire protection in the forestry sector is conducted through:
- Cantonal Forestry Directorates
- Forest management companies
- Civil protection administrations at the local, cantonal, and federal levels
Fire protection is carried out according to annual Forest Fire Protection Plans, developed and adopted by companies managing forests, landscapes, and protected areas. These plans typically include:
- Basic data on the forest complex
- Assessment of forest fire vulnerability
- Preventive measures for fire protection
- Organizational structure for fire protection, including the establishment of an operational firefighting headquarters
- Observation systems and information dissemination mechanisms
- Deployment of personnel and firefighting units, including coordination mechanisms
- Inventory of technical equipment and firefighting resources
- Overview of access roads
- Methods and locations for water supply
- Supervision and enforcement of fire protection measures
(FMAWF, 2022)
If aerial or ground support is required for large-scale fire suppression, the Federal Administration of Civil Protection may request the involvement of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is done in accordance with:
- Law on the Protection and Rescue of People and Material Goods from Natural and Other Disasters (“Official Gazette of the Federation of BiH”, no. 39/03, 22/06, and 43/10)
- Regulation on Providing Military Assistance to Civil Authorities in Responding to Natural and Other Disasters (“Official Herald of BiH”, no. 34/18)
- Agreement on Cooperation between the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Security of BiH (No. 06-50-704-5/09, dated 29.06.2009)
- Standard Operating Procedures for Engaging the Armed Forces of BiH (No. 06-04-3-3229/10, dated 09.07.2010)
- Law on Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Sector for Protection and Rescue within the Ministry of Security of BiH is responsible for:
- Coordinating civil protection across the country
- Harmonizing entity-level civil protection plans
- Implementing international obligations and cooperation in the field of protection and rescue
In cooperation with the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of BiH, and with the unanimous approval of all three members of the BiH Presidency, it is possible to deploy helicopters to assist in fire suppression.
Organizational Scheme of Fire Management
Below is the organizational scheme developed by stakeholders in the FBiH that illustrates the multi-level system of fire protection from local to state level:
- Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Armed Forces of BiH
- Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Federal Ministry of Internal Affairs
- Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry
- Federal Administration of Civil Protection
- Federal Forestry Directorate
- Federal Hydrometeorological Institute
- Cantonal Ministries of Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry
- Cantonal Ministries of Internal Affairs
- Cantonal Forestry Directorates
- Cantonal Forestry Companies
- Cantonal Administrations of Civil Protection
- Municipal Administrations of Civil Protection
- Local Self-Government Units
- Voluntary Firefighting Units
- Protected Areas Authorities
- Hunting Associations and NGOs
Challenges in Operational Coordination
Despite the clear legal and institutional setup, delays in response are frequent due to the administrative complexity and the large number of actors involved in the system. One notable example is that the use of helicopters for firefighting requires prior approval from all three members of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which can hinder timely intervention.
Going forward, stronger cooperation and coordination across all administrative levels will be essential to improve efficiency and effectiveness in landscape fire management across the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.