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RME chief Vladimir Puchkov to inspect population safety system in Vologda

VOLOGDA, January 17, /ITAR-TASS/. Vladimir Puchkov, Head of the Russian Ministry for Emergencies (RME), will make a working visit to Vologda to inspect the operation of a comprehensive safety system (CSS) to monitor environmental and technogenic life safety of the population and territory. A pilot project for bringing such a system into being in Vologda Region is being implemented under the Federal purpose-oriented programme for "Reducing Risks and Softening the Aftermath of Natural Calamities and Technogenic Emergencies in the Russian Federation in a Period ending in 2015".

The Minister will hold a working conference on matters aimed at implementing the project, inspect firefighting units and their equipment, and meet with rescuers and firemen. Puchkov also plans to check the functioning of stations for the warming of motor vehicle drivers on motor roads in adverse weather.

A source at the RME regional center said the CSS now consists of 13 subsystems which monitor space, radiation, chemical, flood and forest fire hazard situation and weather conditions. Integrated controller duty services (ICDS) operate within the framework of the system. They receive information on occurrences in a specific area -- interruptions in water supply, emergency control operations at facilities in the housing/public utilities sector, fires, etc. -- which require a prompt response by damage control services.

"Information on all the breakdowns and emergencies, a timeframe of their rectification, and on personnel and equipment involved in damage control operations is transmitted not only to the Crisis Management Center of the RME for Vologda Regions and to the situation centers but also to other administrative bodies of power," says an RME report. The CSS also ensures the possibility of notifying public transport passengers about an emergency by means of loudspeaking devices and flashing-line panels.

The system employs various technical novelties: drones, mobile complexes with a large screen which are sent to the scenes of emergency to warn the population. Socially significant facilities are equipped with special sensors, such as, for example, the Strelets-Monitoring, which makes it possible to spot a fire in an automatic mode.

The experience gained in the operation of the CSS in Vologda Region is to be subsequently introduced in other regions of Russia as well.