This meeting will be used to review the operations of the Unified Emergency Prevention and Response Service (RSChS) and the performance results of civil defence measures. The meeting will also be used to set the goals for 2013.
The Prime Minister will hand out state awards to rescue workers and employees of the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief. Under the Russian President’s executive order On Civil Defence No 643 of May 8, 1993, the Prime Minister is the designated head of civil defence.
On October 4, 2012, under the direction of Dmitry Medvedev, national civil defence training was conducted in order to review and improve the efficiency of governing bodies and civil defence agencies and personnel.
The Unified Emergency Prevention and Response Service (RSChS) is to defend the public and the territory from natural, man-made and other disasters, and to protect the public, the land, the environment, and items of national and cultural value in peacetime.
It comprises the governing bodies, manpower and resources of the federal, regional bodies of executive power, those of local government bodies, of organisations (including private ones), whose mandate includes the protection of the public and territory during emergency situations.
The agency’s responsibilities include:
- developing and implementing legal and economic standards for defending the public and the territory against disasters;
- implementing targeted, scientific and technological programmes to prevent disasters and to provide for the stable operation of enterprises, institutions and organisations under such conditions;
- ensuring the alert/preparedness of governing bodies, manpower and resources meant for the prevention and relief of emergencies;
- collecting, processing, exchanging and delivering disaster relief information;
- preparing the public for actions and behaviour during emergency situations;
- conducting state expertise oversight and control in the field of the protection of the public and territory against emergency situations;
- relief of emergency situations;
- conducting measures for the provision of social security and for those affected by disasters, as well as humanitarian aid;
- implementing the rights and responsibilities of the public during disaster events;
- cooperating with international agencies during the protection of the public and territory against disasters;
The activities and prospects for agency operation are reviewed annually at a national meeting, which finalises the results of the RSChS performance and sets objectives for the next year.
In 2012, the agency’s personnel were engaged in disaster relief efforts during the floods in the Krasnodar Territory, the mudflow conditions in the Republic of Dagestan, the wildfires in the Siberian and Far-Eastern federal districts and the rescue of over 210,000 people. In addition, the agency conducted over 60 international humanitarian operations and medical evacuations in 47 countries. Over 2 million people were assisted by the rescue service of the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief.
The review of 2012 disaster relief efforts showed the need for the further development of the civil defence system with respect to improving the alert system for prompt response and strategic mobility. The main goal for 2013 is to create an airmobile group of forces and equipment to respond to large-scale disasters and fires.
In order to improve interdepartmental interaction for disaster prevention and relief it is proposed to more completely use the technological potential of the national and regional control centres during crisis situations, to form RSChS day-to-day operation governing bodies within the federal executive bodies and the authorised organisations.
The agency will focus on introducing and developing the emergency call system – the 112 call system. In 2013, the call system is due to be launched in cities with the highest risk of natural and man-made disasters.
An important goal is to improve the operation of RSChS territorial sub-system’s municipal units in the regions and to assist and educate the public in local problem solving. To this end, the Ministry of Civil Defence, Emergencies and Disaster Relief has declared 2013 the Year for Improving the Efficiency of Municipal Administration Work to Provide Vital Activity Security of the Population.