International Cooperation

IAEA- International Atomic Energy Agency

Jointly with Armenian Rescue Service international seminars, meetings, courses and exercises, business trips, exchange of experience are implemented.

SDC

The Governments of the Republic of Armenia and Swiss Confederation, wishing to strengthen the existing friendly relationship between the two countries, agreed upon implementing a project on supporting the response to emergency situations. In 2004 the Emergency Management Administration under the Government of the Republic of Armenia (nowadays – Armenian Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia) on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency on behalf of the Government of Swiss Confederation signed an agreement on “Technical, Financial and Humanitarian Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of Swiss Confederation”. Within the Agreement, since 2004, the Swiss Development and Cooperation Agency (SDC) implements “Ardzagank” project in Armenia aimed at supporting disaster response system and strengthening regional response systems by means of organizing courses and providing relevant equipment. Within the project courses are organized for a number of firefighters-rescuers as well as volunteers from the Armenian Red Cross Society and other organizations for improvement and spreading of knowledge in the field of rescuing at local levels. It is envisaged to provide all the 63 firefighting stations of the Armenian Rescue Service with equipment by the end of the project (2009) having more than 2200 trained firefighters and volunteers totally prepared for responding to the emergency situations.

SDC plans to elaborate a draft project on establishing integrated medical formations in 2010 aimed at supporting the Armenian partners in creating collective response system.

At present the first phase of the project “Ardzagank-medical units” carried out within the agreement on “Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and the Government of Swiss Confederation in case of emergency situations” is in the process of approval the aim of which is to formulate mobile medical units demonstrating relevant skills in case of emergency situations that will carry out their tasks skillfully in disaster zone. The first phase, the duration of which is 7 months, will be implemented in Southern (Vayots Dzor region) and Northern (Tavush region) regions of the Republic. The training project for the staff of medical units will be elaborated which, in future, in case of necessity, will serve as a model for implementing the project in other regions as well. In the next phase SDC may continue implementing the project in other regions of Armenia.

In 2007 “Firefighters in communities” public awareness pilot project was implemented by the “Emergency Channel” information center of the Armenian Rescue Service with the assistance of Swiss Cooperation and Development Agency for the first time. 24 firefighters-rescuers of 12 firefighting stations of Tavush, Gegharqunik and Vayots Dzor regions underwent courses on public awareness in the “Emergency Channel” information center. The firefighters received knowledge on the work with public affairs, population and mass-media, got acquainted with the ways, methods and required educational, advisory and study materials. They carried out works regarding not only the ways of general prevention (reduction of risks) in the main community target auditoriums – community administrations and schools, but also made people be aware on the “Ardzagank” project. The successful implementation of the first pilot project became basis for carrying out “Firefighters in communities” comprehensive public awareness project in other regions of the republic. Based on the agreement signed with SDC in 2008 “Firefighters in communities” public awareness project will be implemented till 2011 involving all the regions of the republic and Yerevan city.

With the assistance of SDC a new firighting-rescue testing ground will be built in the territory of firefighting station in 2010.

UN

The Armenian Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia (ARS) collaborates with the United Nations Organization (UNO) starting from 1996. The first meeting with the UN delegation took place in the Crisis Management State Academy in 1996 that prepared a ground for signing the “Disaster Management Response” project in 1999 and “Disaster Management Response” agreement in 2003.

Particularly on October 10 of 2007 a cooperation agreement was signed between the UN Disaster Management Committee in Armenia and ARS aimed at provision of coordinated operations of disaster management activities in the country. The agreement aims at providing information exchange on disaster management (including preparatory works), ways of making joint efforts during emergencies as well as disaster assessment, information management, feedback and coordination of other procedures.

In the framework of cooperation with UN OCHA and particularly UN INSARAG (International search and rescue advisory group) two major exercises were conducted in Armenia. The first “INSARAG-ARMENIA 2005” exercise was held on June 11-16 of 2005 that gave an opportunity to more than 100 participants from about 20 countries getting acquainted with the new methods of responding to different disasters (particularly earthquakes) and carrying out experience exchange. „Earthquake simulation exercise in Africa, Europe and Middle East region“ organized by INSARAG was held on March 23-26 of 2009 in Yerevan with the participation of about 130 participants from 22 countries. The aim of the exercise was to enhance the professional and organizational level of rescuers responding to disasters, get acquainted with internal procedures of participating organizations, promote the information exchange, analysis, decision making and coordination.
This year two ARS specialists have been involved in UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) international team responsible for participating in the team’s meetings at least once a year.

The specialists of the Armenian Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia participate in a number of events connected with emergency situations organized by UN both in the Republic and abroad making presentations and speeches.

FRANCE

The Armenian Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia collaborates with the Republic of France in the following directions:

In 1997 it was envisaged to implement an educational program together with INESC (Architectural Institute of systems and computers) of the Ministry of Interior of France. During 1997-2004 192 leading employees and specialists underwent training, 71 of them were trained in France. Governors, mayors, directors of hazardous economic objects and ARS officials were involved in the above mentioned educational courses. In the framework of 1998-1999 cooperation respiratory equipment of «ARICO" type and in 2001 folding beds, gas stoves, 1 compressor etc were donated to ARS.
A trilateral agreement was signed in 2003 between Crisis Management State Academy, INESC and REMIFOR (European-Mediterranean information and training network for risk management) aimed at introducing distant education according to which in November of 2008 the French side gave Armenia (Crisis Management State Academy) 2 antennas. „Marsel-Tbilisi-Batumi-Stepanavan-Yerevan“ satellite connection was broadcasted for testing reasons.
In 2009 a cooperation program jointly implemented between Crisis Management State Academy and Lion-3 University from December of 2008 was launched.
In 2005-2008 France provided the ARS with the following assistance: 9 units of firefighting trucks, 10 respiratory equipment, shoe covers, rubber gloves, dosimeter, battery, laboratory equipment, means for distant education, receiver-transmitter, rope, pressure device.
Within the framework of the agreement between the Armenian Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia and #13 firefighting-rescue service of Marsel on „Implementation of courses for preparing instructors in the field of provision of first medical aid“ signed on June 19 of 2008 French specialists and 12 firefighter-rescuers underwent first aid courses in Armenia in Autumn of 2008 (first stage). In the second stage 12 Armenian firefighter-rescuers were sent to France. The third stage that will focus on evaluating the procedures resulted from obtained experience should be carried out in Armenia. The terms for the implementation of stages are defined jointly.

An agreement between the Armenian Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia and „Civil Defence without frontiers“ association of France on „Cooperation in the field of disaster prevention and management“ was signed on June 19 of 2008 with the duration of 3 years. In the framework of this document it is envisaged to carry out a training for operative management field specialists and decision makers in crisis management, organization of professional consultation and information exchange, provision of material, scientific and technical assistance and operative interference.

The ARS cooperates also with „Doctors without frontiers“organization of France and Emergency Management Department of Draginyan city.

The courses on „First Aid“ will continue with France in Marsel.
4 projects are envisaged to be implemented:

provision of medical equipment and training,
provision of ambulances (preliminarly 4 sets),
provision of mobile hospital,
assistance to the establishment of rescue-firefighting detachment in Yerevan.

JICA

The Armenian Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia cooperates with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) starting from 2007. Particularly technical assistance is being provided to ARS by the organization. In the result of the grant project signed between the Governments of the Republic of Armenia and Japan on February 10 of 2009 the ARS will receive 28 units of firefighting equipment from JICA.

In January of 2010 “Natural disaster prevention” workshop will be organized in Yerevan by Japan International Cooperation Agency.

Works are envisaged with Japan International Cooperation Agency in the following directions:

Seismic hazard mapping of Yerevan city and disaster preparedness planning. In this regard an application on financial assistance was submitted.
Updating of ARS information system.

Armenian-Swedish-Estonian trilateral project

A close cooperation between the Armenian Rescue Service (ARS), Estonian Rescue Board (ERB) and Emergency Situations Civil Planning Agency of Sweden (MSB) has started since 2006. Within the cooperation „Development of Civil Protection Capabilities in the Republic of Armenia“ project was launched in Spring of 2006 with the duration of 3 years. The project works are carried out through 5 blocks. Thus, the 5 results anticipated from the project are as follows:

Improvement of cooperation between responding systems as well as authorized people and organizations in the field of prevention;
Enhancement of public awareness level;
Improvement of communication networks;
Development of training capacities of firefighting-rescue formations of Armenia;
Provision of capacities for developing operative firefighting-rescue formations.

Block 1. Cooperation/ assessment and reduction of local risks

E.g. result 1 – Best practical plan elaborated for Armenian population that will include coordinated, effective and methodical approaches for resisting hazards (including risk assessment and management plans).

Block 2. Prevention activities among children and youth

E.g. result 2 – Development of capacities for carrying out prevention activities in kindergartens and schools of Armenia.

Block 3. Establishment of communication and emergency situations centers (112)

E.g. result 3 – Prospectives of establishing existing communication and emergency situations centers (112) are presented.

Block 4. Development of capacities and capabilities for training

E.g. result 4 – Improvement of capacities and capabilities for training of firefighting-rescue formations of Armenia.

Block 5. Enhancement of effectiveness of the activities of the operative rescue service

E.g. result 5 – Enhancement of effectiveness of the activities of the firefighting-rescue formations in Armenia.

Courses, workshops, working meetings are permanently organized in the framework of trilateral project giving an opportunity to Armenian, Swedish and Estonian specialists to exchange experience. As a result of this cooperation the ARS received 1 firefighting-rescue truck of „Volvo“ type, equipment, furniture and outfit.

Approximate list of the equipment and devices provided by Sweden in 1996 to Armenia and particularly to:

003 services

Volkswagen car - 2
Car trailer - 2
water-rescue equipment - 2 complete sets/plastic boats, outfit of water-rescuer
stationary and portable radio transmitter
winter and summer outfit
helmets
lanterns
complete set of rescue devices /cutting, hole making, lifting-mechanical, hydraulic, electrical/
electrical station with engine of internal ignition
ropes
first aid kit with necessary items
repairing box
lightening devices
special stretcher -2

resue detachment

complete set of rescue devices /cutting, hole making, lifting-mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, with engine of internal ignition/in big quantity /
compressors with devices - 4
big tents
stationary and portable radio transmitter
lightening devices
stretcher
winter and summer outfit /in big quantity/
hand lanterns
helmets

educational center

TV set
video camera
video set

USA

The cooperation between the ARS and US Kansas National Guard has started since 2005. A number of events have been and are carried out within this cooperation: in September of 2005 the employees of the ARS and Ministry of Defence of the RA had a study visit to Kansas and in 2006 „First medical aid“ course was held in the Crisis Management State Academy of the ARS by the US Kansas Health care society.

The draft agreement on „Cooperation between the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia and US Defence Department on collaboration in the field of prevention of proliferation of technologies, pathogens and experience to be used in the creation of biological weapons“ is in the process of approval. According to this document the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia will receive free assistance from US Department of Defence for the purposes of detecting and diagnosing bioterrorist attacks and possible epidemics, promoting warning skills as well as facilitating partnership in the field of strategic investigations aimed at struggling against biological terrorism from the point of view of prevention of proliferation of technologies, pathogens for the creation of biological weapons in institutions functioning in the territory of the Republic. Therefore, based on the request of Armenia the US Government will provide equipment, materials and technologies for permanent and temporary use, deliver relevant services and carry out training of the staff.

The assistance provided to the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia by the US Defence Department aimed at reduction of the threat of unauthorized use and plunder of hazardous pathogens in the Republic of Armenia can be directed to the joint implementation of biological investigations, detection of and response to factors of biological threat as well as improvement of supervision procedures and biological materials protection. The expected results are the following: resistance to proliferation of nuclear weapons and technologies, materials, knowledge and experience directly connected with the latter, prevention of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and unlicensed transmission (including transportation and transition) of materials connected with the latter.

A study visit focused on the „American procedures for disaster and risk management“ was organized by Defence Cooperation office of the US Embassy in the Republic of Armenia in Seattle, Washington, in August 10-14 of 2009 with the participation of ARS representatives. In the framework of that event the participants visited management center of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in Washington, got acquainted with the structure of the center, studied the principles of its activities, observed the mobile center and mobile contact point, studied the American experience of involvement of forces during emergency situations, structure of firefighting stations, principles of their activities, equipment and so on. During the visit the mechanisms functioning in the field of emergency situations in both countries were compared. They discussed the establishment of modern crisis management center, its importance and the issues regarding the possible assistance from the American partners.

USAID

Cooperation is carried out with the US Agency for International Development thanks to which the administrative building of the Crisis Management State Academy of the ARS was repaired and equipped, computers were provided and the capacities of the Academy were enhanced. A separate floor was built for the “Emergency Channel” Information Center with its TV studio, brifing center and working offices. Assistance was provided on the issues of technical equipment and elaboration of web-site. Gasification procedures were carried out in all the 47 firefighting-rescue detachments and heating equipment were provided.

NATO/PfP

The Armenian Rescue Service cooperates with NATO in the framework of Partnership for Peace (PfP).

Within Armenia-NATO/IPAP cooperation it is envisaged to establish a crisis management center for securing stable and reliable governing of the Republic in war and at peace.

A working group was formed by the Decision N 319-² of the RA Prime-minister dated on 23.04.2007 for studying the ways of establishing crisis management center and drafting a relevant project. The representatives of different Ministries and other state governing bodies of the Republic of Armenia are involved in the working group. They studied the experience of different countries, took into account the existing economic, geographical and political situation of the Republic and elaborated the draft project of the establishment of the center. The draft was submitted for the discussion of RA interested state bodies in the established order, then it was edited based on the comments and suggestions received and later on submitted for the discussion of the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration on June 21 of 2007.

The Individual Partnership Activities Program for the period of 2009-2010 from the point of view of Armenia’s participation was presented in the working meeting held on September 18 of 2009 in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. The „Concept of Public Awareness of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Armenia“ on Armenia-NATO cooperation as well as the plan of preparatory activities of „Armenia-2010“ field exercise on elimenation of consequencies of emergency situations to be held in Armenia in 2010 were discussed. In this regard Initial Planning conference of “Armenia-2010” field exercise was held in Brussels in December of 2009, the Main Planning and the Final Planning conferences will be held in Yerevan in March and June accordingly. Signing of Memorandum of Understanding on “Joint conduction of “ARMENIA-2010” exercise between the Ministry of Emergency Situations and NATO/EADRCC” in the framework of Armenia-NATO-PfP is envisaged.

Middle East Sout Asia Center on Strategical Studies together with Marshal Center suggest „Lory-2010“ disaster management workshop/exercise to be conducted in Yerevan in September of 2010.

GTZ

Cooperation is carried out with German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) agency that implements a project on „Preparedness to disasters in Southern Caucases“.

It is expected to establish an Early Warning System (EWS) and monitoring services for floods and landslides in Lori and Tavush regions based on existing scientific and technological base within the project. These services are to carry out continuous observation, analysis of risks and warning on the progress of risks. According to the UN Disaster Reduction Strategy (Hyugo Framework for Action 2005-2015) and based on risk data, monitoring services are to decide short-term disaster changes, location vulnerability, possible long-term changes for prediction, to carry out permanent editing and clarification of data and maps of regional risks, constant development of risk and vulnerability indicator system in regions, observations, clarification of frequency of floods and landslides. The draft of technical project on establishment of early warning and monitoring systems (TETRA) in Lori and Tavush regions were elaborated and submitted to the RA Government. The increase of the systems should be taken into account while introducing them in the mentioned regions for the purposes of carrying out warning and monitoring in the whole territory of the Republic. It is supposed to have 11 territories of TETRA system for designing and developing the system of Republican level (10 regional and 1 in Yerevan). Each territory should have its own dispatcher center (that of the region should be in region and that of Yerevan city – in dispatcher center and Crisis Management Center of ARS of the Ministry of Emergency Situations). The system should be as free as it is possible from other communication operators functioning in the Republic and the base stations should be minimum served.

„Public awareness regional center“ establishment project will be implemented together with GTZ in Tavush region.

According to the agreement GTZ should provide the ARS with 1 car for providing the activities of the monitoring group.

CSTO

The cooperation between the ARS and Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is carried out in the framework of the Decision of CSTO Collective Security Council on „Main Directions of activities of CSTO Member States for the term up to 2012 aimed at establishment of collective response system to emergency situations“ signed in 2009. The objective of this cooperation is to secure interoperability between CSTO Member States regarding the management of civil defence and emergency situations and prevention of major disasters, to support the prosperity of Member States, strengthening of their national and collective security, bringing the complex activities of military formations, civil defence subdivisions, special subdivisions of security services and bodies of Interior functioning in the territories of the countries into humanitarian platform by establishing a collective response system to emergency situations.

The objective of the establishment of this system is to focus the activities based on the potential of CSTO Member States on response to emergency situations.

The expected results from the system activities are the following:

Harmonization of legislation of Member States, establishment of the scientific-methodical model for effective intercooperation between the CSTO Member States aimed at responding to major disasters:
Establishment of collective response system to emergency situations in the territory of CSTO responsibility that will allow using reserve means of the armed forces of Member States in disasters for the purposes of developing humanitarian activities:
Establishment of regional subsystems of interstate cooperation of CSTO Member States in case of major disasters:
Development of cooperation in the field of civil defence, elaboration of agreed approaches on consequence elimination in case of possible use of nuclear and chemical weapons:
Development of cooperation between services and special bodies of the internal affairs of CSTO Member States taking into consideration the peculiarities of their involvement in the consequence elimination and warning in case of possible terrorist attacks in hazardous military and civilian objects:
Elaboration of complex approaches for financial and logistic provision of the system of CSTO collective response in emergency situations:
Elaboration of the system for the enhancement of preparedness and qualification of specialists:
Development of cooperation with international organizations from the point of view of adopting the activities to the international procedures of prevention and elimination of emergency situations.

CIS Interstate Council

The ARS represents the Republic of Armenia in Interstate Council of Emergency Situations of Natural and Man-made Character by participating in sessions and fulfilling decisions made. The 20th session of the Interstate Council was held in Armenia on September 26-28 of 2006 within this cooperation.

Italy

A „Memorandum of Understanding“ was signed between the Civil Defence Department of the Ministers on Civil Defence Issues of Italy and the Armenian Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia on May 16 of 2008 in Yerevan. The objectives of the document are:

to strengthen mutual cooperation;
to elaborate joint projects in the field of Civil Defence national systems, particularly risk management;
to discuss and analyze the strategy of establishment of educational institutions in the field of Civil Defence for supporting the development of skills in disaster prevention and response;
to guarantee information and experience exchange;
to promote the procedures of risk management, disaster prevention and response aimed at development of investigations;
to study the strategies of cooperation and mutual assistance;
to provide the participation of the Civil Defence Department of the Ministers on Civil Defence Issues of Italy and the Armenian Rescue Service in the activities of enhancement of preparedness towards disaster resistance and response;
to contribute to the improvement of warning mechanisms and work with mass-media.

DTI

English language and equipment obtainment projects were carried out together with the Department of Trade and Industry of Great Britain (DTI). The organization provided ARS with satellite internet connection. Within "NSP 04-A1" project the ARS received dosimeters, equipment, individual protection means and computers in 2006-2007.

BSEC

The ARS cooperates with Member States of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). A training exercise on „Rescue operations in severe earthquakes“ was conducted in Gyumri in November-December of 2008 during the Armenian chairmanship in BSEC followed by a workshop on „Lessons learned from Spitak earthquake“.

The candidature of Colonel Arman Avagyan, Head of the International Cooperation Department of the ARS was submitted to the BSEC Secretariat as Liaision Officer.

OPCW

The ARS cooperates with the Organization of Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Due to this cooperation the ARS specialists have an opportunity to participate in workshops and courses organized by the OPCW. The organization conducted a similar course in Armenia in 2005.
The OPCW provided the ARS with 1 gas chromatograph and gas-mask filters.

Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation

Cooperation is carried out with the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation. In the framework of this cooperation the ARS specialists are qualified in the Academies of Civil Defence and Firefighting State Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Russian Federation.

ICDO

The Armenian Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Armenia cooperates with International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO). The ARS specialists participate in courses organized by the organization abroad. They are constatnly nominated for order-ranks for their contribution in the field of Civil Defence being awarded orders and ranks.

OSCE

The broadcasting of “Emergency Channel” weekly TV program was restarted based on the agreement signed with the OSCE Yerevan office in 2008. Courses on the modern ways and methods of public affairs were organized, expert support was provided, works on design of face and image of “Emergency Channel”, identification of image and colour of all the information channels, elaboration of representative packages were carried out, assistance was provided to the “Emergency Channel” weekly newspaper.

International agreements

A cooperation agreement in the sphere of industrial accidents, natural disaster prevention and consequences elimination was concluded between RA Government and Russian Federation Government on August 17, 1994.

A security agreement between RA Government and Euro-Atlantic Treaty Organization was concluded in Brussels on January 13, 1995.

An agreement on the control of dangerous and other waste trans boundary transportation was concluded in Moscow on April 12, 1996.

A cooperation agreement among Governments of the participant countries of Black Sea Economic Cooperation on the prevention of natural and man-made disaster and elimination of its consequences was signed in Sochi on April 15, 1998.

A cooperation agreement on the prevention and consequences elimination in case of natural and man-made disaster and emergency situations was signed between the Government of the Republic of Armenia and Government of Georgia on July 9, 1998.

A document on the assistance of disaster preparedness of national structure between UN Armenian office of development project, USAID and Armenian Rescue Service of the Ministry of Territorial Administration of the Republic of Armenia was signed, on April 10, 2003.

In March, 2005 "Response" agreement with Swiss International Development Agency was signed, according which SIDA will provide new rescue equipments to the regional units of Armenian Rescue Service: qualified commanders will train Armenian specialists.