About Us – Kosovo Mountain Search and Rescue Service
In the period before 1952-1953, search and rescue operations in the mountains and assistance to residents of remote villages in cases of disaster were carried out mainly by individuals or small groups of mountaineers and volunteers, who had basic knowledge in mountaineering and/or first aid.
Formation of the first organizations
Before the Liberation War (1998-1999), within the main organization of mountaineers and climbers of Kosovo, the Mountaineering and Skiing League of Kosovo – LBSK (after the independence of the skiers it adapted its name to the Mountaineering League of Kosovo – LBK), the Mountain Search and Rescue Service of Kosovo also operated.
Since the beginning of the 1950s, Kosovo mountaineers have been engaged in providing assistance to mountaineers in need as well as residents in cases of natural disasters.
The first interventions of LBSK members and the first efforts to establish mountain search and rescue date back to 1952, when the Initiating Council for the Establishment of Mountain Search and Rescue was formed within the framework of the “Gjeravica” Mountain Rescue Service. Therefore, this year is also considered the year of the establishment of the Kosovo Mountain Search and Rescue Service.
In 1953, four mountaineers of the “Gjeravica” Mountain Rescue Service completed the mountain search and rescue course in the Julian Alps that was organized by the Slovenian Mountain Search and Rescue Service. That same year, in 1953, the “Gjeravica” Mountain Rescue Service established the Mountain Search and Rescue Section, the first in Kosovo, which consisted of a total of four rescuers.
In 1956, the number of rescuers of the “Gjeravica” Mountain Rescue Service increased to a total of 10 rescuers. While by the end of the 1960s, their number continued to grow to 39 rescuers qualified in local courses and seminars, within Kosovo and the former Yugoslavia.
The first trainings of Kosovo mountaineers in the field of mountain search and rescue were held in Bjeshkët e Nemuna in 1954. Later, in 1956, the Mountain Search and Rescue Station was established in Peja, as part of the Mountain Search and Rescue Section at the “Gjeravica” Mountain Rescue Service. This station included a network of reporting points in the field, in Bjeshkët e Nemuna (in the mountain houses of Bjelluhë, Plloçicë, Bjeshkët e Lumbardhit and Bogë; then in Kozhnjer, Kuçishtë, Istog, Radafc, Deçan, etc.). The station in Peja was the first in Kosovo and at the same time in the then Republic of Serbia.
After Peja, in 1959, Mountain Search and Rescue Sections were established in Prizren, within the framework of the “Pashtriku” Mountain Rescue Service, and in Gjakova, also within the framework of the “Pashtriku” Mountain Rescue Service.
Thus, Peja, Prizren and Gjakova were among the few cities in the former Yugoslavia with Mountain Search and Rescue Sections.
Even the rescuers from Prizren (Pashtriku Mountain Rescue Unit, after changing its name to “Sharri” Mountain Rescue Unit) were trained in local courses and seminars until the early 1970s, in Kosovo and other republics of the former Yugoslavia (in Kopaonik, Bjeshkët e Nemuna, Brezovica, Grykë e Sićevës, Vršić, Ovčar Banjë and Rajac). The trained members of the “Sharri” Mountain Rescue Unit have transferred the knowledge they have acquired to a large number of members, mainly through practical work during exercises. Thus, from the beginning, the “Pashtriku” Mountaineering and Hiking Association had three members with two courses each (summer and winter) and 14 with one each. It also had other trained mountaineers, but without attending courses.
In the 70s in Kosovo, we had mountain search and rescue stations in the following cities: Peja, Prizren, Prishtina, Ferizaj and Gjakova.
The Mountain Search and Rescue sections of the then Kosovo mountaineering societies were equipped with search and rescue equipment for both summer and winter: telephones, skis, stretchers, ropes, climbing nails, probes and others. The Mountain Search and Rescue section of the “Gjeravica” Mountain Rescue Service also possessed a 12-seat “Landrover” all-terrain vehicle.
Meanwhile, the rescuers held regular exercises and training in the country and in other republics of the former Yugoslavia.
The formation of proper organizations after the Liberation War (1998-1999)
The Kosovo Mountain Search and Rescue Service within the FBAK until 2017, respectively 2021, officially did not exist. However, members of FBAK (now FBNSK) have voluntarily intervened many times in the rescue of mountaineers in the mountains.
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In Peja: in 2015, Peja rescuers self-organized by establishing the first search and rescue organization in Kosovo, the Mountain Search and Rescue Association “Peja”, which that same year was registered as an NGO. Its first president was Mentor Bojku.
Also in 2015, the rescuers of the “Peja” ARS were trained by members of the 5th Italian KFOR Regiment, well known as “Alpini”.
Later, in 2021, the members of this association were integrated into the Kosovo Mountain Search and Rescue Service, increasing the experience and professional level of the Service. At the same time, the “Peja” Mountain Search and Rescue Service continues its activity as an NGO.
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In Prizren: the first attempts to officially organize rescuers within the “Sharri” Union date back to 2004, when Servet Kocbasli was elected chairman of the Mountain Search and Rescue Section in the 2nd Electoral Assembly.
Later, in 2006, mainly for the needs of mountain search and rescue, the Radiocommunication Section was also established in the “Sharri” Union, which was headed by Nadir Erciyas.
The Radiocommunication Section operated very successfully until the end of 2009, when it was disbanded due to the high cost of frequencies, which the “Sharri” Union was unable to afford.
The Mountain Search and Rescue Section of the “Sharri” Union, after the successes of the first years, also did not survive the times. This situation was overcome after the establishment of the Kosovo Mountain Search and Rescue Service Station in Prizren, at the office of the “Sharri” Subdistrict Office, on 19.12.2022.
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In Deçan: on 30.04.2024, under the patronage of the Municipality of Deçan, the ShKAShMK Station was inaugurated, in the office of the Tourist Information Center – Visit Deçan.
Now, at the ShKAShMK Station in Deçan, trained rescuers equipped with professional tools operate, ready to come to the aid of citizens and visitors in cases of emergency.
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In Mitrovica: The Mountain Search and Rescue Station in Mitrovica was established on December 15, 2022 at the premises of the Alpine Club “Trail Explorers Kosova – TEK”. Currently, this station operates with a team of six qualified, trained and equipped rescuers with all the necessary equipment. Of these, four come from Mitrovica, one from Gjilan and one from Prishtina, thus creating a dedicated and professional team to face the challenges of search and rescue in the mountains.
In FBNSK: the first attempts to officially organize Kosovo rescuers, within the framework of FBAK, date back to 2017, when the Presidency of FBAK appointed Deni Hamelin (an employee of the Search and Rescue Company of the National Guard of the KSF) as head of the Kosovo Mountain Search and Rescue Team. However, at that time, mountain search and rescue within FBAK did not have a proper structure and organization, nor a budget specifically planned for it.
The first lessons and training of FBAK members in search and rescue were carried out through the European Union project “Eco and Outdoor Tourism Actions of the Balkan Alps”, as part of the “IPA Cross-Border Co-operation Programme Montenegro-Kosovo”. In this context, the Mountain Search and Rescue Service of Montenegro (GSS Crne Gore) held three courses as follows:
- Basic course in mountaineering, summer school, 21 – 25.10.2019, the theoretical part was held in Guci, while the practical part was held in the Grebaja Valley.
- The basic course in mountaineering, winter school, 09 – 13.03.2020, was held in Babino Polje.
- The basic mountain search and rescue course, summer school, 28.05 – 06.06.2021, was held in the Grebaja Valley.Kurset e cekura lart i vijuan dhe i përfunduan me sukses këta shpëtimtarë të FBAK-ut:
- Bardhosh Morina, Pejë
- Besnik Dujaka, Gjakovë
- Burim Buzhala, Malishevë
- Eroll Brezhnica, Mitrovicë
- Fatlum Demnika, Ferizaj
- Fidan Abazi, Mitrovicë
- Flamur Sallahu, Ferizaj
- Gzim Ferati, Mitrovicë
- Korab Pepaj, Istog dhe
- Tahir Ibrahimi, GjilanOn June 18, 2021, the new Presidency of the Kosovo Mountain Search and Rescue Service established the Kosovo Mountain Search and Rescue Service, approved the Rules of Procedure of the Kosovo Mountain Search and Rescue Service and appointed in writing the Presidency of the Service for the 2021-2024 mandate in this composition:
- Deni Hameli, ShB “Sharri”, Prizren, kryetar
- Mentor Bojku, ShBA “Gjeravica”, Pejë, nënkryetar
- Bardhosh Morina, ShBA “Gjeravica”, Pejë, anëtar
- Besnik Dujaka, ShBA “Pashtriku”, Gjakovë, anëtar
- Eroll Brezhnica, KA “Trail Explorers Kosova – TEK”, Mitrovicë, anëtar
- Korab Pepaj, ShBA “Podguri”, Istog, anëtar dhe
- Tahir Ibrahimi, ShBA “Gjilani”, Gjilan, anëtar
Immediately after the completion of the establishment process, the Presidency of the Commission was co-opted and restructured, so that it currently has the following composition:
- Deni Hameli, ShB “Sharri”, Prizren, kryetar
- Bardhosh Morina, ShBA “Gjeravica”, Pejë, anëtar
- Eroll Brezhnica, KA “Trail Explorers Kosova – TEK”, Mitrovicë, anëtar
- Fidan Abazi, KA “Trail Explorers Kosova – TEK”, Mitrovicë, anëtar
- Ilir Zhegrova, Prishtinë (i painkuadruar në shoqëri bjeshkatare), anëtar dhe
- Tahir Ibrahimi, ShBA “Gjilani”, Gjilan, anëtar***
At the global level: The Kosovo Mountain Search and Rescue Service was invited as a candidate to the 74th conference of the International Commission for Alpine Rescue (ICAR), held in Thessaloniki (Greece) from 15 to 20 October 2024.
Author: Abdurahim Abdushi, më 05.12.2024, Mynih
