Measures to ensure rapid emergency response and reservoir safety discussed

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev reviewed a presentation on improving the rapid emergency response system and regulating the use of water reservoirs and adjacent areas. He said saving human lives must be the main criterion in renewing the system. Urban growth, technological development and climate change are creating new tasks for the rescue service, and some fire-rescue units do not fully meet emergency response requirements.

A “golden minute” rule is to be applied, aiming to cut rescuers’ arrival time to 5-7 minutes in cities and 15-20 minutes outside city centres. Plans were presented to reorganise 25 fire-rescue units in districts and cities with more than 250,000 residents and equip them with modern technology. The creation of the Madad national multi-profile rescue centre was also proposed.

Only four of the 56 reservoirs currently have rescue services, so a professional rescue system at the Karkidon reservoir has been proposed. Certification of tourism services and mandatory contracts between entrepreneurs and professional rescue structures were proposed. Support would include paying half of land and property taxes until 1 October 2029. Twenty-five reservoirs have been inspected on site.