CROATIAN FILM INSTITUTE

VISIONARY VOLUNTEER FIRST RESPONDERS OF LEGRAD

#       15:28 min           2024    

This film recounts the noble story of 140 years of the development and operation of the Legrad Volunteer Fire Brigade in Croatia, demonstrating the strength of a community determined to protect its residents from harm. In 1884, the Legrad Volunteer Fire Brigade was officially founded. Even before the formation of the society, there was a permanent night watch service that began in 1771, which warned the people of Legrad every evening from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. about the danger of fire. In the period from 1890 to 1900, enviable results were recorded in the procurement of new equipment, and at that time a fireman’s brass band was created. At the beginning of the 20th century, in addition to the municipality, the firefighting society also had great supporters in the Jewish merchant and banker Heinrich Freinfeld and the parish priest Matija Gado. Thus, a new hydrant-syringe was purchased.


In 1938, the brass band won second place at the All-Yugoslav Firefighters' Congress in Zagreb. To mark that occasion, a pavilion was built in the park in Legrad, where concerts were held every Sunday.


Over the past decade the Legrad Volunteer Fire Brigade has expanded its reach, serving as a leader in the region. In addition, it has won the support of international firefighters in Austria and in Nottingham, England, as well as the Croatian Fire Brigade Association, the Ministry of Economy, and the Telemach firm who have all honored the brigade and provided generous donations of sophisticated fire fighting trucks, water rescue equipment, a drone with a thermal-imaging camera, and protective gear for the firefighters.

Director                      Nikola Knez

Producer                    Nikola Knez & David Knez

Screenplay                 Dr. Dorothy S. McClellan

Cinematographer       David Knez

Film Genre                 Documentary                        

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