The opening ceremony of the new Fire and Rescue Station No. 9 took place in Bishkek last week. The construction of the station was part of the project “Improvement of fire safety of population by strengthening capacity of the Fire and Rescue Services in the Kyrgyz Republic”, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the support of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic (MES KR) and funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), UNDP in Kyrgyzstan reported.
The new fire and rescue station is equipped with state-of-the-art machinery and tools necessary for prompt emergency response. Special emphasis has been placed on equipment designed for operations in high-rise urban areas: the station has received a unique 54-meter aerial ladder with an elevator and fire suppression equipment for operations at significant heights – the first of its kind in Kyrgyzstan.
The station will not only serve as a critical link in the emergency response system but also as a training center for new recruits and for improving the qualifications of existing fire and rescue personnel. The facility is fully equipped for learning and professional development, including modern classrooms, residential accommodations, and state-of-the-art training facilities.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Minister of Emergency Situations Boobek Azhikeev, Mayor of Bishkek Aibek Dzhunushaliev, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea Kim Kwang-jae, KOICA Country Director Lim So Yeon, and UNDP Resident Representative Alexandra Solovieva.
UNDP Resident Representative Alexandra Solovieva noted: “We are opening the fourth station that will significantly contribute to the implementation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy until 2030. This project has provided us with modern equipment and infrastructure, which directly contributes to saving lives in Kyrgyzstan and strengthens the capacity of MES personnel.”
Ambassador Kim Kwang-jae highlighted: “The fire and rescue station in Bishkek, along with those opened in Cholpon-Ata, Osh, and Suzak, will utilize the advanced infrastructure and equipment provided through this project to protect the population from fires and other disasters.”
Photo: UNDP in Kyrgyzstan