On September 4, Rescuer’s Day, a demonstration special exercise was held at Freedom Square, attended by Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan.

The event was also attended by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan, Director of RS–Deputy Minister of IA Kamo Tsutsulyan, UNHCR Representative to the Armenia Monica Sandri, members of the public and youth councils attached to the Minister of Internal Affairs and citizens.

Accompanied by the Director of RS–Deputy Minister of IA and the Mayor of Yerevan got acquainted with the technical equipment of the Service, as well as with flyers and leaflets published with the support of international partners at the public awareness booth.

The exercise on “Firefighting and rescue operations in case of an enemy air attack” then commenced.

Also involved in the demonstration were officers of the Police of the RA MIA, ambulance personal and emergency teams from Veolia Jur, Yerevangaz and Electric Networks of Armenia.

According to the scenario, during an air-raid by the enemy, the building of the Alexander Spendiaryan National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre was damaged, as a result of the fire, an unexploited shell was discovered in the square, a car accident and a collapse occurred, there were injured and stuck citizens.

A report of the case was received, and fire and rescue squads promptly dispatched at the scene. The citizens and staff remaining in the theatre were evacuated, the unexploited shell was neutralized, the chemical leak was stopped, peopl stuck in a car were rescued and a casualty due to the collapse was given aid with special equipment saving their life.

The mission was accomplished, the challenges resolved, with no human losses.

For the audience, this may have been just a demonstration exercise, but for rescuers it is a daily routine. Their every day is filled with trials, hardships, stories of success and the grateful looks of those they have saved.

At the conclusion of the exercise, Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan once again congratulated the rescuers on their professional holiday and expressed her gratitude to them for their selfless service. Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan, also congratulating on the occasion of Rescuer’s Day, presented awards to the Director of the Rescue Service and a group of rescuers.

At the end of the event, Yuri Sakunts, a graduate of the Crisis Management National Academy, set a new record by pulling two fire trucks of the Rescue Service with his teeth, dedicating the achievement to the rescuers.

Minister Arpine Sargsyan also answered questions from journalists.