On February 10, a working meeting was held at the Rescue Service, headed by the Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan, during which the results of the Rescue Service's activities in 2024 were summarized.
The participants were Kamo Tsutsulyan, Director of the Rescue Service - Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, deputies, heads of structural and territorial subdivisions, and rescue workers.
The Minister, welcoming those present, noted that the year was summed up with quite high results, various emergency situations were overcome, in particular, emphasizing the work carried out by the Rescue Service subdivisions in the disaster zone of Lori and Tavush regions, the joint service of rescuers and water patrols during the swimming season. He thanked the entire staff for the huge amount of work carried out.
The Minister was presented with the work carried out in separate areas of the service and the measures taken.
Tigran Petrosyan, Deputy Director of the Rescue Service, made a report on the results of the Rescue Service's activities in 2024, in particular, on the implementation of the tasks of protecting the population in emergency situations, improving the civil defense system, and organizing effective response.
Presenting the work done in the direction of servicing and responding to alarms, he noted that 13,572 emergency cases and accidents were registered in the republic during the reporting period.
214 people were rescued by the units of the Rescue Service. Due to various factors, rescuers removed 5,756 vehicles from blockages on the roads of the republic and transported 10,659 people to a safe area.
Extensive work has been carried out to protect the population, prevent emergency situations and eliminate the consequences. In order to prevent and quickly respond to forest fires, rescue workers have carried out enhanced service in forest and vegetation-covered areas in the summer. As a result, forest fires in 2024 decreased compared to the previous year: 13 cases in 2024, 13 ha, in 2023 - 22 cases, 63.9 ha. Mainly grassy areas were burned.
During the swimming season, round-the-clock duty was carried out on three public beaches of Lake Sevan and in the coastal zone of the Shoghakat settlement, as a result of which 31 lives were saved, including 1 from drowning, and 30 people were provided assistance during accidents on water communication routes. In 2024, no drowning cases were recorded in the areas where rescuers were on duty.
Tigran Petrosyan emphasized that close cooperation was carried out with the patrol service both during the swimming season, during awareness-raising activities in forest areas, when providing assistance to citizens who were blocked, and during daily service.
The work carried out by the Rescue Service units in the disaster zone of Lori and Tavush regions was presented. From May 26 to June 16, 146 combat teams and 48 operational groups carried out rescue operations, 1,997 rescuers were involved.
445 people were rescued and evacuated from different settlements in Lori and Tavush regions by rescuers and other forces involved.
Referring to the readiness of the rescue forces, Tigran Petrosyan noted that 264 special tactical training exercises were conducted by the Rescue Service units in the direction of operational tactical readiness, courses, discussions, and trainings were held with other departments and organizations.
476 rescuers improved their professional skills and knowledge last year. 218 rescuers were awarded a qualification order.
Active work was undertaken in the areas of program development and implementation, preparation of the civil defense system, organization of the service, and provision of medical and psychological support.
During the reporting period, work was also carried out on the implementation of management, communication and alarm systems, computer programs, modernization and quality improvement of radio communications, and organization of information technology security.
Referring to the work carried out in the direction of the personnel policy of the Rescue Service, Tigran Petrosyan presented the participation of rescuers in the certification, the recorded indicators.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, referring to the trend of emergency cases and accidents recorded in 2024, emphasized the importance of conducting targeted analyses.
Issues related to improving the disaster management system were discussed, in particular, the deployment and methodology of operational headquarters, the organization of primary operations of rescue forces in the territories, and the response of volunteer groups in specific situations.
In the context of mapping landslide-prone zones and assessing movement, Arpine Sargsyan highlighted the need to create an interactive map at the National Crisis Management Center, the use of which will allow for analysis, policy development, and service prospects within the framework of disaster risk management.
The activation of awareness-raising activities for rescue workers in schools and other general education institutions was highlighted, which will contribute to the formation of a safety culture among minors, ensuring a safe lifestyle.
Arpine Sargsyan considered the process of preparing and retraining rescue workers, the participation of management staff in courses to be key within the framework of the formation of a unified educational institution of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. She noted the work aimed at developing the capabilities of the workers, studying at the educational complex, entering the rescue service system, and ensuring the personnel needs of the ministry.
Touching upon the issues of performance appraisal, discipline, and good conduct, Arpine Sargsyan noted that within the framework of the new methodology for personnel changes, each employee will be evaluated solely based on the results of the work performed.
She touched upon the structural changes in the service, noting that ensuring a logical position at the institutional level will be aimed at ensuring more effective management, organizing the service, and providing it to the public.
Kamo Tsutsulyan thanked the Minister for the positive assessment of the work of the Rescue Service. He noted that the service is ready to fulfill the tasks set before it with greater responsibility in 2025, correct shortcomings, and record new results.
At the end of the consultation, the units and employees recognized as the best in service activities during 2024 were awarded.
