Young rescuers took the oath in Vitebsk

"I swear allegiance to the Republic of Belarus and its people. I swear to sacredly observe the Constitution. To uphold the honor and dignity of the employees of the emergency services and units. To protect people's lives and health. I pledge to be courageous, honest, and selfless" – these words were spoken by over 80 recruits of the region's emergency services and units on Fire Service Day during the oath ceremony, which took place on the square in front of the regional executive committee building under the flag of the Republic of Belarus.

The event was attended by the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, who congratulated the region's rescuers: "169 years ago, the first fire station was established in our country. Since then, you have always been the first to respond to calls for help. Over time, the fire service has transformed into a hyper-rescue service. You protect us not only from the elemental force of fire but also from all man-made problems and natural phenomena of an emergency nature. I wish you less work, victories in all areas, and good health."

Addressing the recruits, Alexander Subbotin noted: "An oath is a sacred pledge of allegiance to the Motherland and the people. From this day on, we entrust you with the most valuable thing we have – the lives of our children and parents. Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations are the first to take the oath near the building of the regional executive committee. And this is no accident. It was they who were entrusted with hoisting the flag of our country onto the spire of the building, which is located at one of the highest points in Vitebsk."

The oath is a significant event in the life of those who have joined the ranks. The only girl among the recruits was Victoria Kolyeeva from Novopolotsk. She followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, a veteran of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and her grandmother, who is still serving. Currently, the young woman is interning as a dispatcher at Fire and Rescue Unit No. 1 of OJSC "Naftan", studying programming at the Belarusian Trade and Economics University, and plans to further her knowledge at the University of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

– The day I took the oath is forever etched in my memory. The words I uttered then stick in my mind, as they oblige one to a lot – they confirm readiness to serve one's country, – said Sergey Markevich, Deputy Head of the Regional Department of the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

As part of the celebration, there was a solemn honoring of fire service veterans, as well as the region's best rescuers. In addition, journalists who won the regional stage of the competition for the best media coverage of the activities of the emergency services and units of the region received their awards at the event.

"Vitebskiye Vesti"