Opinions & Interviews

Minister: Belarus’ rescue workers equipped to world’s best standards

Vladimir Vashchenko

MINSK, 10 April (BelTA) – While delivering a report to the Belarusian head of state on 9 April, Emergencies Minister Vladimir Vashchenko discussed the equipment and gear of rescue workers. He emphasized later that all the necessary fire-fighting equipment is made in Belarus and is up to par with the world’s best products, BelTA has learned.

At the same time, during the report to the president, Vladimir Vashchenko touched upon some issues with the supplies for the aviation. “He [the president] said: submit your proposals, we will help as much as we can,” the minister informed.

The minister called heavy-duty machinery one of the biggest achievements of the ministry’s collaboration with the National Academy of Sciences and local manufacturers. This allowed dropping the practice of building water reservoirs. “We deliver these ‘water reservoirs’ virtually on the wheels and we can extinguish fires without having to look for sources of water. Building water reservoirs in the country that has more than 10,000 lakes and 20,000 rivers sounds absurd. Building water reservoirs is just pouring money down the drain,” Vladimir Vashchenko said.

In his words, about five years ago the president upheld the initiative to equip fire fighters all over Belarus with such machinery. Thus, at present each district has at least two  heavy-duty vehicles that can promptly respond to fire emergencies.

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