HGSS celebrates its 72nd birthday

Croatian Mountain Rescue Service, a voluntary and non-profit humanitarian service of public character, was founded 72 years ago in Zagreb. The initial idea of ​​a group of volunteers who will save lives lives on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, woven into 1148 HGSS volunteers deployed in 25 stations throughout Croatia.

All together they are committed to only one mission - prevention, education, rescue and search for the victims.

“Since the beginning of its activities, HGSS has participated in more than 10.000 rescue operations. Last year alone, we carried out 754 rescue operations and 150 interventions. Our teams were involved in 196 quests, 27 actions on the water and 48 actions on the ski slopes. In addition, at the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021, we all faced the greatest tragedy since Croatia's independence - the devastating earthquake in Banovina. In this field, the HGSS continues to operate as an intervention force and a fundamental component of the civil protection system and within the Homeland Security system. We visited 1.420 locations, completed 2.164 preventive visits, successfully solved 683 altitude tasks and had 39 engagements of search teams with dogs that found people and animals under the rubble ”, he said on the occasion of the anniversary of the operation Josip Granić, head of HGSS.

HGSS members are volunteers - primarily alpinists, but also speleologists, alpine mountaineers and skiers - trained to provide first aid to the injured and trained in all mountain rescue techniques, including helicopter rescue, inaccessible terrain searches and search operations with search dogs. Unquestioningly and at any time, they invest their knowledge and precious time in saving other people's lives.

“People with big hearts and a desire to help others are the greatest wealth we have. Without them, there would be no HGSS. That is why we once again invite all citizens and nature lovers - get informed and equip yourself properly before an adventure in nature. Take care of yourself, and we will continue to take care of you. ”, the message is Josip Granić.

"We are not asking for any congratulations and gifts for the birthday, but we ask you one thing: educate yourself, inform yourself and equip yourself properly before going on an adventure in nature. It’s the surest way not to get to know us. If it thickens, count on us. ”, they emphasized in their recognizable style.

Source: Croatian Mountain Rescue Service