Sergey Shoigu suggests involving student voluntary units in rescuing freezing people

In conditions of abnormal frost we have to take care of people without permanent place of residence, RF minister of civil defense, emergency situations and liquidation of disaster consequences Sergey Shoigu stated at an extra all-Russia video conference on issues of readiness of RF subjects for low temperatures.

In the event took part Tatarstan PM Ildar Khalikov, Head of main department of Russian emergency ministry on RT Rafis Khabibullin, representatives of ministries of health care, construction, architecture, housing services and utilities, education and sciences, RT ministry of the interior.

RF minister of civil defense, emergency situations Sergey Shoigu informed 51 subjects of Russian Federation, from the Far East to the Northern Caucasus have fallen under influence of heavy frost.

“The average temperature is 7-12 degrees lower than normal. In conditions of abnormal low temperatures the number of emergency situations and fire accidents may increase. Because of low temperatures disturbances of life-support system may happen. For the last seven days average daily increase of domestic fires by 30 % has been observed. Compared with last year citizens more often ask for medical aid due to hypothermia or frostbite”, Sergey Shoigu continued.

Thus, the minister addressed emergency departments in RF subjects and local authorities with requirement to prepare emergency power sources, intensify work on prevention of domestic fires and measures on observance of fire safety, explanatory work regarding people’s behavior in conditions of strong fall of temperature, and organize control of federal highways.

Data on liquidation of consequences of accidents in various regions of the country connected with strong frost were presented at the meeting.

Sergey Shoigu also focused on citizens with no permanent place of residence requesting to organize shelters, heating and food services areas for them.

“To help medical workers and policemen student voluntary teams can be involved in rendering help to frost-bitten and helpless people, revealing places crowded with people with no permanent place of residence”, Sergey Shoigu offered.