It's hard to say where life would have taken lieutenant colonel Vardan Abovyan, Commander of the Noyemberyan Fire and Rescue Squad, had he not listened to his father's advice and joined the police force back in 2003.

"I served in the Police until 2017. In 2018, I transferred to the Rescue Service," says Vardan Abovyan.

At first glance, the transition from Police to Rescue Service might seem easy, but the experienced officer shares, “For the first year or two, it was very hard for me to adjust to the new role. But now, I’m deeply dedicated to the service. Here, the duties and responsibilities have transformed into something more human — a sense of care and compassion.”

He says that during his 14 years in the Police, he encountered countless incidents, but he will never forget last year's flood. He recalls how he and his team responded to the emergency call to help people caught in the disaster. “In Shnogh village, a car had fallen into a ravine — sadly, we had a fatality. My team and I were the first to arrive. The devastation was unimaginable,” Vardan Abovyan remembers.

During those difficult days, the Noyemberyan Fire and Rescue Squad worked around the clock in the disaster zone, ultimately saving 39 lives. Vardan Abovyan considers that his greatest achievement. But his dedicated service did not go unnoticed — he was named Best Fire and Rescue Squad Commander of 2024.

“I’ve always tried to move forward as much as possible. If you're in service, you’re obligated to move ahead — not to stand still. Standing still means falling behind,” says Abovyan. Hearing that, one can't help but wonder: what does it take to be a good commander? “First and foremost, a commander must know the details of the service, understand the team and their inner world. He must accept them as they are, and only then begin to take command. A commander should never avoid responsibility, never fear challenges, and never panic — no matter how hard things get.”

Being recognized for his work filled the Noyemberyan squad commander with both pride and a deep sense of responsibility. He says the title of “Best” is a high standard — one that must be upheld through honest, conscientious service every single day.