OSCE supports discussion on Armenia’s fire management policies

The OSCE Office in Yerevan, in co-operation with Armenian Emergency Situations Ministry and the Global Fire Monitoring Centre, organized a roundtable discussion on improvements in fire management, including national legislative and institutional frameworks and a training on international standards on 20-22 August 2013, in Yerevan and Aghveran.

Some 40 representatives from the Emergency Situations and the Rescue Service Ministry, the Nature Protection Ministry, the Agricultural Ministry, and other state agencies as well as international and local organizations, discussed the draft National Wildfire Management Policy and Implementation Strategy, recent improvements and streamlining implementation in the field.

At the training course held for some 45 experts, civil servants and representatives of local communities a handbook on EuroFire Standards and training materials, available in Armenian, was launched. The handbook aims to strengthen fire management capacities and enhance the safety and efficiency of fighting fires in forests, as well the preservation of forests and other vegetation in Armenia.

“We are glad to be able to provide support to local authorities to improve national capacities and policies in this field,” said William Hanlon, Deputy Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan.

The aim of the OSCE-led ENVSEC project “Enhancing National Capacity on Fire Management and Wildfire Disaster Risk Reduction in the South Caucasus” is to promote effective capacity building, policy development, regional and international co-operation, up-to-date expertise and access to fire suppression assistance during large fire emergencies.