Ches’ke pozhezhne depo u s. Dibrivka (Czech Fire Station in Dibrivka Village)

Architectural monument.

Rivne Oblast, Velyka Omeliana Territorial Community (Hromada), Divrivka Village.

50.52989, 26.0023

24,4 km

Volunteer Fire Department in Dubrowka Village (STRAŻ OGNIOWA OCHOTNICZA WE WSI DĄBROWCE) was established on May 20, 1923.

On July 3, 1923, the Charter of the Association called “Voluntary Fire Service Association in Dubrowka” was approved. The “armoury” included 22 firefighters, it was equipped with a hand pump, the exit area was 5 kilometres, firefighters served 800 houses, 20% of which were treated with fire-retardant coating. There were 2,500 residents in the area where the fire department could reach.  Firefighters arrived at the scene in 10 minutes.

Jan Bačovski was the first commander, Josef Zaptrapa was after him, and later, until World War II, Josef Gavliček was the commander of the department. A municipal bell was installed near the fire station. Josef Zumr, the bell ringer, regularly informed the community about the time of evening prayer and about sad events: a fire or a funeral.

People who lived not only in Dibrivka, but also in neighbouring Ukrainian villages, highly respected the fire brigade, as it often participated in fire fighting and saving the property of the area inhabitants. As of March 1, 1936,  the association included 33 people.

The restored fire station will be gradually filled with exhibits, particularly firefighting equipment, which was in the service of firefighters in the 1920-1930s.

Source: http://www.hrushvytsia.rvadmin.gov.ua/turistichni-obyekti/cheske-pozhezhne-depo-dibrivka/