Friday, March 29

The rescue service will remain, and we will raise salaries – interview with the head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia

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In the near future, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, as a separate department, will cease to exist. Armen Pambukhchyan assures that the creation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the transfer of the Ministry of Emergency Situations to the subordination of the new department will not affect the quality of work of the rescue service.
Armenian Emergencies Minister Armen Pambukhchyan in an exclusive interview with Sputnik  Armenia spoke about measures to strengthen the capabilities of the department, improve the social situation of employees. The Minister also touched upon the future work of the rescue service as part of the Interior Ministry.
— The explosion in the Surmalu shopping center this summer was not only a huge tragedy, but also a serious test for the Ministry of Emergency Situations. How would you assess the work of rescuers in general? What lessons have been learned and are current measures aimed at preventing such incidents in the future effective?
— In my memory, there have never been such explosions with destruction in such a crowded place in the history of independent Armenia. You correctly noted that the main attention should be paid to prevention, prevention of such tragedies, and not to reacting after the fact. As for the lessons learned, I have repeatedly had reason to say that although we did not have the human and technical resources to eliminate the consequences of the explosion, nevertheless, God forbid, with the simultaneous occurrence of two or three such major emergencies, our capacities may not be enough. Realizing this, in recent months we have replenished the rescue service fleet with new equipment.
As for the personnel, we have vacant positions, but at the same time this situation is constantly changing, there is a complete set, there are also volunteers. By the way, we are now paying great attention to training volunteers, providing them with the necessary equipment and uniforms. And if necessary, we can also involve volunteers in the process of eliminating the consequences of an emergency.
— Speaking of personnel… how much does the Crisis Management Academy contribute to solving the personnel problem?
— I quite highly appreciate the activities of our academy. She has a very high-quality teaching staff, they know their business well. However, at the same time, we cannot automatically arrange for students of the academy to join the rescue service, since replenishment takes place exclusively in the order of the competition. Students, like everyone else, must pass three stages of the competition. In addition to the age limit, which, of course, is not relevant for students (people under 35 are accepted into the rescue service), you need to pass a physical fitness exam, as well as oral and written exams. Education at the Academy is multidisciplinary. And suffice it to say that some of our graduates then get a job in other state institutions. More than 1 thousand students are currently studying at the university.
— After the September Azerbaijani aggression, some units of the Ministry of Emergency Situations were involved in combat duty. How correct was this decision, since, at first glance, the performance of combat missions is not included in the circle of direct functions of rescuers? Won’t this lead to a shortage of employees in emergency situations?
— The legislation stipulates that, if necessary, rescuers can participate in the protection of the borders of the republic. In addition, participation in combat duty was a voluntary decision of the rescuers. They made this choice themselves, and I must say that a very considerable number of our employees volunteered to go to the front line. The process was organized in such a way that the work of rescuers did not suffer.
To begin with, we sent only one platoon there, as a kind of pilot program. I must say that, on the one hand, combat duty gives rescuers a unique experience, on the other – they help the armed forces, thereby strengthening our front lines. And the very participation in the protection of the border and the territorial integrity of the state is the duty of every citizen. And the question should be considered in this way as well.
— Is the issue of raising the salaries of rescuers being discussed? The question, it seems to me, is still relevant for the Ministry of Emergency Situations…
— We have decided to switch to the employee certification system, after which their salaries will be doubled. We want to draw up the certification program in such a way that, on the one hand, it is not easy, on the other hand, its results inspire confidence. And if an employee has successfully passed, then he really meets the set standards. The certification program was also discussed in the Security Council. The government intends, and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this, to significantly increase salaries in law enforcement and “near-power” structures, including the Ministry of Emergency Situations, after teachers.
— Along with the salary, what other mechanisms are being developed to increase the attractiveness of the lifeguard profession?
— To be honest, we do not have a shortage of personnel now. I can say that citizens show considerable interest in our field. Rescuers enjoy high prestige in society, which is proved by serious competition. Often, 10-15 candidates participate in the competition for a particular vacancy. Of course, we need new standards in the work of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, a new strategy, but in general, the situation with attractiveness is quite favorable
— As you know, the Ministry of Internal Affairs is being created in Armenia, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations will also be subordinated to it. What is the purpose of such optimization, will it complicate the work of the “super agency”?
— Indeed, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, together with its SNKO, rescue service, will become part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, along with the police and the migration service. The program provides that the Minister of Internal Affairs will have two deputies: one will supervise the police, the other – the rescue service. I can assure you that the quality of the work of the rescue service will not suffer from this, all the functionality, forces and resources of the rescue service are preserved. Nothing changes at all in her work.
— Where do you see yourself after these structural changes?
— I will work wherever the political team decides.
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