"The timely provision of local firefighting brigades with the necessary machinery and equipment will allow us to avert the repetition of the emergency situation we faced last summer," First Deputy Prime Minister Zubkov stated in his introductory remarks. He noted that over 33,000 wildfires were registered in Russia last summer, resulting in the destruction of over 2.1 million hectares of forest, including 200,000 hectares that were ravaged by crown fires.
Mr Zubkov said that in order to increase the effectiveness of onsite firefighting operations, the federal government had decided to subsidise five billion roubles worth of machines and equipment in the regions. "The same amount has been budgeted for 2012 and 2013. In addition, next year the regions will receive 4.5 billion roubles from the federal budget for wildfire prevention arrangements and 3 billion roubles for forest protection and regeneration measures," he said.
"It is critical that all parties concerned should develop strong cooperative ties and use allotments in the most effective manner. Each region should receive modern firefighting machines and equipment before the next wildfire hazardous season. The Federal Agency for Forestry will oversee the use of funds at each stage, from the purchase of equipment to its use during firefighting operations. Regional leaders will be held personally responsible for executing the authority vested in them, including the responsibility to ensure fire safety in our forests," the first deputy prime minister said.
Concluding the video conference, Mr Zubkov instructed the Forestry Agency to develop the draft act of the Government of the Russian Federation for distributing the subsidies among the regions on firefighting machinery and equipment in 2011. The document is to be completed by January 15, 2011. By December 25, 2010 the agency is to prepare draft agreements with individual regions on the provision of the aforementioned subsidies in the coming year. In addition, the agency is to prepare the documentation for government orders on the equipment, as well as a template for government contracts between local authorities and suppliers.
First Deputy Prime Minister Zubkov reminded those present that the purchase of firefighting machinery and equipment for state firefighting brigades will be funded by the federal government as well as the regional authorities and that the latter should budget the necessary funds for 2011. In addition, regional governments are expected to submit feasibility studies for the creation of local firefighting and gas defence stations and their renovation, conclude agreements with the agency on the provision of federal subsidies, make preparations for government orders, and facilitate government purchase contracts with suppliers.
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A total of 81 regions participated in the video conference; among them, 10 regional leaders reported back to First Deputy Prime Minister Zubkov.