Kolekcionar vatrogasnog znakovlja

Dobrovoljno vatrogasno društvo Palešnik osnovano je 26. lipnja, 1928. godine. Prvi pisani dokumenti spominju imena osnivača Društva: Josip Kosihajda, Miško Pištolac, Jakob Ivšić, Mataje Ciner, Miško Jurić, Miško Kovačević i Adam Holetunder. Za prvog predsjednika na osnivačkoj skupštini izabran je Josip Kosihajda,a za zapovjednika Miško Pištolac. Kako je u to vrijeme u naselju Palešnik živio podjednak omjer hrvata i nijemaca, vidljivo je da su oba naroda bila zastupljena pri osnivanju vatrogasnog društva. U tim godinama domovi tih naroda nisu bili zajednički, već odvojeni, pa je upravo vatrogastvo prva organizacija koja je ove narode spojila u zajedničko djelovanje. Počeci vatrogastva u Palešniku došli su iz potrebe da se organizirano i zajedničkim snagama bori protiv nepogode požara, koja je često zbog nepostojanja vatrogasne službe činila velike štete. Kuće i gospodarski objekti građeni od neadekvatnih materijala, koji su se koristili u to vrijeme, kao da su samo čekale na prvu iskru i vrlo lako zapaljenje. Nakon osnivanja društva, odmah se prišlo izgradnji vatrogasnog doma koji je završen 1931.g. Nabava opreme za gašenje požara, kao i osobne zaštitne opreme za vatrogasce također je započela odmah nakon osnivanja. 1930.g nabavljena je prva ručna vatrogasna štrcaljka i kompletirana je osobna zaštitna oprema za jednu desetinu vatrogasaca. Društvo je u to vrijeme brojalo 34 izvršna člana. Do početka drugog svjetskog rata, Društvo se razvilo na broj od 47 izvršnih članova i preko 100 podupirućih. Zbog ratnih događanja Društvo je smanjilo svoju aktivnost, no nije prekidalo svoj rad, te je s manjim brojem članova još uvijek pristupalo gašenju požara. Nakon završetka rata i povratka ljudi u selo, Društvo je postalo aktivnije. Za prvog posljeratnog predsjednika Društva izabran je Ivan Korač koji ovu dužnost obavlja sve do 1964.g. Josip Jakovlić izabran je za prvog posljeratnog zapovjednika Društva i ovu dužnost je obavljao sve do 1959.g, kada odlazi na dužnost profesionalnog vatrogasca, točnije zapovjednika profesionalne vatrogasne postrojbe grada Bjelovara. U tim godinama bilo je potrebno modernizirati opremu koja se nalazila u Društvu, te krenuti u nabavku nove. 1954.g nabavljena je nova motorna vatrogasna štrcaljka, kapaciteta 1200 litara, što je za naše prilike i okolicu bio jedan od prvih takvih primjeraka. Godinu nakon, radom naših mještana i kovača Miška Šmer, izrađena su i kola za prijevoz ljudi i motorne štrcaljke. Također je vrijedno spomenuti da se u zapisima od 13.06.1955.g spominje organiziranje prve vidovske zabave nakon rata. Kako smo svi upoznati s politikom tog vremena, znamo da se crkveni blagdani nisu smjeli obilježavati. Važnost ove organizacije u društvenom životu mjesta, može se ogledati i u tome da je DVD jedno vrijeme imalo aktivnu dramsku sekciju kroz koju se organizirao i pokretao društveni život mjesta. Od 1964.g dužnost predsjednika Društva obavljao je Josip Deželić i to u dva mandata, a nakon njega spominje se Josip Prekrat koji dužnost predsjednika obavljao od 1972.g – 1988.g. U ta četiri mandata predsjedanja Društvom, dužnosti zapovjednika obavljaju: Vlatko Oršić, Stjepan Aržek, Josip Mateša i Stjepan Pongrac. Ovih 16 godina su vrlo važne za Društvo. Izgrađeno je novo vatrogasno spremište, kao zamjena već starom i dotrajalom, te je kupljen i prvi vatrogasni kombi za prijevoz ljudstva i opreme. Kupljena je nova vatrogasna štrcaljka marke Rosenbauer, te nova vatrogasna cisterna kapaciteta 5000 litara vode s pripadajućom pumpom, a za njezin smještaj uređena je i garaža.

The Palešnik Voluntary Fire Brigade was founded on June 26, 1928. The first written documents mention the names of the founders of the Society: Josip Kosihajda, Miško Pištolac, Jakob Ivšić, Mataje Ciner, Miško Jurić, Miško Kovačević and Adam Holetunder. Josip Kosihajda was elected the first president at the founding assembly, and Miško Pištolac was elected commander. As an equal proportion of Croats and Germans lived in the settlement of Palešnik at that time, it is evident that both nations were represented in the establishment of the fire brigade. In those years, the homes of these peoples were not common, but separate, so the fire department was the first organization to unite these peoples in joint action. The beginnings of firefighting in Palešnik came from the need to fight the fire disaster in an organized and joint manner, which often caused great damage due to the lack of fire service. Houses and farm buildings built of inadequate materials, which were used at the time, seemed to be just waiting for the first spark and very easy ignition. After the founding of the company, the construction of the fire station was completed immediately, which was completed in 1931. Procurement of firefighting equipment as well as personal protective equipment for firefighters also began immediately after its establishment. In 1930, the first hand-held fire hydrant was procured and personal protective equipment for one-tenth of firefighters was completed. The Society at that time had 34 executive members. By the beginning of World War II, the Society had grown to 47 executive members and over 100 supporters. Due to the war, the Society reduced its activity, but did not interrupt its work, and with a smaller number of members it still approached firefighting. After the end of the war and the return of the people to the village, the Society became more active. Ivan Korač was elected the first post-war president of the Society, who held this position until 1964. Josip Jakovlić was elected the first post-war commander of the Society and he performed this duty until 1959, when he became a professional firefighter, more precisely the commander of the professional fire brigade of the city of Bjelovar. In those years, it was necessary to modernize the equipment that was in the Company, and start purchasing new ones. In 1954, a new motorized fire hydrant was purchased, with a capacity of 1,200 liters, which was one of the first such examples for our country and the surrounding area. A year later, with the work of our locals and blacksmith Miško Šmer, cars for transporting people and motor syringes were made. It is also worth mentioning that the records of 13 June 1955 mention the organization of the first clairvoyant party after the war. As we are all familiar with the politics of the time, we know that church holidays were not to be celebrated. The importance of this organization in the social life of the place can be seen in the fact that the DVD once had an active drama section through which the social life of the place was organized and initiated. Since 1964, Josip Deželić has been the president of the Society for two terms, followed by Josip Prekrat, who was the president from 1972-1988. During these four terms of presidency of the Society, the duties of the commander are performed by: Vlatko Oršić, Stjepan Aržek, Josip Mateša and Stjepan Pongrac. These 16 years are very important for the Society. A new fire station was built, as a replacement for the old and dilapidated one, and the first fire truck for the transport of people and equipment was purchased. A new Rosenbauer fire hydrant was purchased, as well as a new fire tank with a capacity of 5,000 liters of water with an associated pump, and a garage was arranged for its accommodation.