BRICS Emergency Agencies Meet in Kazan

The Fifth Meeting of the Heads of BRICS Emergency Services took place in Kazan on 10–11 July chaired by the Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM) Alexander Kurenkov. The two-day event was attended by representatives of BRICS emergency services with discussions held as part of Russia’s BRICS Chairship.

“Interaction of BRICS emergency agencies is a crucial part of shaping the strategic initiatives that will allow us to develop a common system for integrated security and mutual assistance,” Kurenkov said.

A wide range of issues covered best ways to safeguard people and territory in modern conditions, with the heads of the BRICS emergency services expressing their views and Kurenkov outlining a number of promising areas for international co-operation.

“The Russian EMERCOM advocates the development of national disaster prevention and response systems and increased interaction within BRICS. We are determined to develop a standard for duty services to exchange information and systems for monitoring natural threats and information and early warning in the event of disasters. All this will have a positive impact on our respective nations’ emergency preparedness and ability to help one another as we continue to strengthen co-operation,” Kurenkov said.

The BRICS delegates adopted the Kazan Declaration following the first day of negotiations, enshrining the willingness of the BRICS members to work together on key issues on human and territorial security in the face of emergencies. The delegation from China expressed particular interest in the Russian use of fire trains, with the Russian EMERCOM offering to share related technologies and methods.

On the second day of the Meeting of the Heads of Emergency Services, the foreign delegations were acquainted with Russian fire and rescue equipment. Russian response specialists took part in demonstration exercises simulating deployment and rescue operations in the event of a road traffic accident. The final part of the demonstration featured a fire on a vessel being extinguished on the Kazanka River.

The Roscongress Foundation manages the events of Russia’s BRICS Chairship.