On October 24-26, employees of the Rescue Forces Department of the Rescue Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs led by the Head of the Department Artur Kirakosyan, participated in a three-day training on "Understanding inclusiveness and gender equality and its importance in fire and rescue squads" within the framework of "Institutionalization of Voluntary First Response Service in Armenia" (VOLFIRE) project implemented with the Austrian Red Cross Society organized by the Armenian Caritas Society.

The purpose of the training was to explore the concept of inclusiveness and discuss ways to involve women and people with disabilities in fire and rescue organizations and volunteer fire and rescue squads.

The participants of the event were introduced to the legislative framework related to people with disabilities and gender equality, international agreements and the rights of people with disabilities and women. They discussed how to make inclusion a key part of the activities of rescue organizations. It was emphasized that inclusion was a necessary prerequisite for strengthening society and creating a safer and more reliable environment.

The project was implemented by the Armenian Red Cross Society in cooperation with Armenian Caritas and the Rescue Service of MIA. It was funded by the Austrian Development Agency, with funding from the Austrian Development Cooperation, the Austrian Red Cross and Caritas Austria.