MOSCOW, May 27 (RIA Novosti) – Two more rescue centers of the Russian Emergencies Ministry may open this year in the Russian Arctic, bringing the total number up to five, according to a report by the ministry.
“In 2014, there are plans to build a center in Murmansk, and Nadym,” the report reads.
The Emergencies Ministry earlier announced plans to build ten integrated rescue centers by 2015 on Russia’s Arctic coast, allocating 910 million rubles ($26.3 million) for their construction. Last year, centers in Naryan-Mar, Arkhangelsk and Dudinka were put into operation.
Rescue centers will be a means of constant preparedness and emergency response to any urgent situation in the Arctic, manned by nearly 1,000 people (590 on land and at sea, 384 on air duty). The centers will be highly mobile, well equipped with rescue and fire equipment and watercraft.
Russia’s Arctic region is home to nuclear power plants, basing points of nuclear icebreakers and nuclear warships, chemically hazardous and explosive dangerous objects, important elements of communication, all of which must be guarded against disasters. The main element of the Arctic transport system servicing traffic flows along the entire Russian Arctic coastline is the Northern Sea Route, which has the potential to become an important international transport channel.
