The mission of the rescuer is to make Armenia safer to live, work, and travel in, and the state's commitment is to provide the necessary conditions for the full implementation of that mission.

To this end, based on lessons learned from emergency situations and international best practices, a new concept for the transformation of the Rescue Service has been developed, including comprehensive development of the service's institutional, technical, and professional capabilities, as well as the formation of a new, optimal structure, eliminating duplication of functions with other subdivisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Within the framework of the concept, structural changes to the central apparatus of the Rescue Service will be implemented by the end of the current year, and to the territorial subdivisions in 2026. It is also planned to develop the Rescue Service's volunteer system with the establishment of special social and legal guarantees. Practical steps have already been taken in this direction: currently, 11 volunteer fire-rescue emergency points are operating in Armenia, serving 51 settlements. 67 volunteers have received rescuer qualifications.

The creation of emergency points is consistent with the strategy adopted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to increase community preparedness in emergency situations and reduce response time. Work is underway to create new emergency points, which are planned to be launched in 2026-2027. 

An important direction of systemic reforms is improving the working and technical conditions of rescuers who stand by citizens 24/7 in emergency situations. The outdated fire-rescue vehicles in the balance sheets of 28 fire and rescue squads of Aragatsotn, Armavir, Ararat, Kotayk, Tavush, Gegharkunik, and Vayots Dzor Regional Rescue Departments will be replaced with new ones. The total budget amounts to 5 billion 668 million 515 thousand drams: 91 fire-rescue vehicles and special equipment will be acquired.

New combat uniforms and rescue tools have already been delivered, and the delivery of 8 fire trucks and 10 rapid response rescue vehicles for Kotayk, Armavir, Ararat, and Aragatsotn regional subdivisions is underway, with a total value of 710 million 365 thousand drams.

Construction work is ongoing at the Sevan rescue station and Yeghegnadzor Fire and Rescue Squad building. Construction will also start in Baghramyan in the coming days.

Safe and comfortable uniforms and work toolkits are important prerequisites for effective action in emergency situations. Based on the study of international best practices, work is underway to provide rescue service personnel with fire-resistant, waterproof uniforms with additional protective layers, ensuring maximum safety.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is also continuously improving the process of ensuring social guarantees, creating decent conditions for Rescue Service personnel. In this context, the certification process of personnel continues: it is an important tool for professional growth and motivation. Certification is combined with retraining, which allows for the improvement of professional knowledge and practical skills.

To date, 1,808 rescuers have applied for certification, with 943 having passed it. An excellently certified rescuer in the system today receives about 557 thousand drams in salary, compared to the previous 297 thousand.

The new concept for the transformation of the Rescue Service envisages a more accessible and inclusive organization of alerts for people with disabilities through SMS messages and mobile application notifications.

To ensure prompt and effective public notification, it is planned to develop a public awareness application with interactive maps, safety guides, feedback functions, and geolocational personalized notifications, regardless of internet availability. In the context of the reform continuity, the investment of approximately 5 million euros by the UN Development Programme and OSCE, co-financed by the European Union, is cornerstone, part of which will be directed to the development of the Rescue Service sector.

Thus, with its transformed concept and commitment to ensuring citizens' safety, the Rescue Service, responding promptly to every emergency situation, will continue its mission.