ABC of the rescue

Therefore the skepticism of certain individuals about the EMA service – like, they only spend the state money for their toy manoeuvres – is completely incomprehensible.

Perhaps, a stereotype of thinking is at work here: for sure nothing will happen to us. But the nature shows quite the different – by its mudflows, earthquakes and other unhappy stuff. It is not enough to eliminate, - quickly and efficiently, - their consequences, they also should be prevented. The risk lowering prevention has been recognised as unconditionally important in the whole world. Recently Russia and Kazakhstan created a joint venture for the rescue in emergencies.

It is well-known that the help, contacts and mutual aid, play an invaluable role for the rescuers. And, according to the deputy chairman of the EMA of RK Valeriy Petrov the formation of such JV is another step towards the development of cooperation between our countries". Last year Kazkahstan with cooperation of Russian Ministry of Emergencies received a big shipment of rescue equipment for million dollars: a therapeutic movable hospital for 1000 persons in the conditions of global man-caused disasters, 10 emergency rescue cars, an automobile for the removal and neutralisation of explosives, a movable diving station, the transport for rescue works on the height of 3000 meters and other equipment. Of course, it is not enough for the whole republic, the EMA hope to cover all regions of Kazakhstan by their services, not only Astana and Almaty.

And while Russians are going to transfer the constructor documentation, technologies to their new venture partners. The events on experience exchange, personnel training will take place. The joint venture plans to create municipal rescue services, co-ordinating their activities with firemen, doctors, police. Moreover such services will be free for the people, apart from special rescue operations. In the extreme situations - say, during local forest fires or earthquakes Russian and Kazakhstani firemen will come to each other’s help. True, it’s not clear from which sources the rescue activities will be financed. According to the Ministry of Economy of RK, out of 195 districts of the republic 80 per cent are "hooked" on grants, that is their akimats potentially depend on superior oblast budgets. A Centre of medical disasters has been created here, but, for instance, the warehouse stock of the civil defence medical service during the last several years diminished by 60 per cent, but there is no financing from the national budget.

Specialists observe a big probability of an appearance of big man-caused disasters on the territory of Kazakhstan. In the West, in order to prevent them there is a ceremony of declaring industrial security. Here, the president four years ago made an appropriate amendment into the law "On emergencies of natural and man-caused character" according to which a potentially dangerous industrial facility had to declare its security. Today the resource of many of them that were built 20-30 years ago is nearly over. Only in Almaty – there are more than 200 enterprises, at which it is necessary to develop and confirm the declarations. But only 4 of them presented these documents to the EMA. And there is no mechanism of "persecuting" transgressors in this country.

The work of "051" service is varied: from a classic rescue of a doggy from a sewer to saving the life of an old man, who does not open his door. They say that there are enough of extreme sensations.

Today we should not dismiss the slogan "everybody must know it". An unforeseen situation can get anywhere and at any time. Therefore – several recommendations from specialists. By the way, according to them, 99 per cent of tragic outcomes of disasters happen because people don’t know how to behave, cannot handle their shocks and fears – in a word they lose control when it’s most necessary. So:

During an EARTHQUAKE the worst thing is panic. If there is a weak tremor, one should be calm and stay where s/he is. If there is something more serious one should descend only from the second floor. If you are located higher it’s best not to risk, but remain in a doorway, by the pillar, under the bed, table, remain far from windows and heavy furniture and not even try to descend on an elevator.

The mistake that happens most often when the ELEVATOR breaks down is trying to get out of it on one’s own. Even if the dispatcher is mute like a fish and you believe that you can reacj the closest stair by a leap, it’s best to wait anyway. And to shout for help out loud, after all, you’re not alone in the house!

THUNDER. The biggest number of accidents during thunders - around 90 per cent – take place in rural areas. The main thing is to avoid separate trees, high metal constructions. And it is completely safe to stay within the car during a thunder.