From March 23 to 29, a delegation led by the Director of RS – Deputy Minister of IA, Major General Kamo Tsutsulyan was on a working visit to France within the framework of the EU-funded "Support to Law Enforcement and Security Sector Reforms in Armenia" program. The purpose of the visit was to exchange experience and expand cooperation in the field of civil protection and management of emergency situations.

The delegation held meetings with representatives of the Directorate General for Civil Security and Crisis Management (DGSCGC) of the French Ministry of the Interior, as well as with the heads of fire and rescue, as well as management of emergency situations units operating in various towns.

During the meeting held at the Southeast Defense Operational Centre of the interdepartmental administration, discussions focused on the general principles and missions of Civil Protection and Emergency Services in France, as well as the structure of the French Ministry of the Interior.

The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs also met with the President of the National Federation of French Firefighters, Senior Volunteer Firefighter Lieutenant Colonel Jean-Paul Bosland, as well as representatives of the administrative fire and rescue services of Annecy and Grenoble towns, as well as Valence community. 

During the meetings, the delegation studied the experience of volunteer fire and rescue teams, as well as the management mechanisms of the established services and personnel, with the aim of developing the volunteer system in Armenia. Additionally, discussions covered crisis management and communication mechanisms, disaster risk assessment and response measures, the operational chain of emergency management actions and the organization of activity in fire and rescue operational centers.

The delegation also held meetings with the leadership of the French National Academy for Fire Officers (ENSOSP), where they explored modular training halls and observed the retraining process for firefighters and volunteers. They also visited the headquarters of departmental and municipal fire and rescue services, as well as simulation centers and specialized training institutions. Several discussions were held on innovative training methods, crisis management, the training processes of INSARAG USAR teams and the management of construction-related risks.

At the end of the visit, the delegation members visited a water rescue unit, where they examined the technical equipment on site and observed the organization of water rescue operations, as well as reconnaissance activities carried out using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Such experience-sharing initiatives contribute not only to strengthening ties between the relevant services of both countries but also to the development, modernization and implementation of international best practices in management of emergency system of Armenia.