A fire station is planned to be built in one of the new residential microdistricts of Vitebsk in 2012

July 22, Vitebsk / Sergey Kochetov - BELTA/. A complex of buildings for the city's emergency situations department, including a fire station, is planned to be built in 2012 in one of Vitebsk's new residential microdistricts. This was announced today to journalists by the head of the regional department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Vasily Chekan, in response to a question from a BELTA correspondent.

The necessity of constructing Ministry of Emergency Situations facilities in the city is caused by the high volume of housing construction; new quarters have emerged in Vitebsk in recent years. The current deployment of fire units does not take into account the evolving urban realities, hence the need to bring Ministry of Emergency Situations units closer to the new microdistricts. Project documentation is currently being developed, and if all related issues are resolved promptly, construction is planned to begin in 2012, explained Vasily Chekan.

In total, over Br5.3 billion was allocated for equipping the region's emergency bodies and units with modern technology and equipment in 2009-2010, by decision of the regional executive committee. Thus, rescuers received fire trucks, rapid response vehicles, service and operational vehicles, a 50-ton crane truck, combat uniforms, and heat-reflective suits. It is planned to acquire a medical vehicle for the "Vityaz" fire and rescue squad. The diving and rescue, explosive ordnance disposal, and chemical services are equipped with modern equipment. At the same time, according to Vasily Chekan, the region faces a problem with updating fire-fighting equipment, particularly with the acquisition of equipment for eliminating the consequences of road traffic accidents.

There are 45 fire and rescue units and 88 separate posts deployed in the region, located in rural areas. Approximately 500 Ministry of Emergency Situations employees are on duty daily.

According to data for 6 months, 770 fires occurred in the region, of which almost 74% occurred in rural areas. 130 people died in fires, including three children. Careless handling of fire, including during smoking, remains the main cause of fire incidents. At the same time, about 90% of those who died in fires were intoxicated. 90 people were rescued by employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. In addition, it was possible to prevent the destruction of more than 1.1 thousand buildings and save material assets worth almost Br10 billion.-0-