YEREVAN, DECEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Not only do the Armenian people learn lessons from the 1988 Spitak earthquake, but also the entire world, Major-General Nikolai Grigoryan, deputy director of the rescue service of the ministry of emergency situations briefed reporters on what changes were made 28 years after the earthquake.

“The country transformed after the Spitak earthquake. International organizations and structures began elaborating systems to make population protection more effective. Let me say that analysis of the lessons of Spitak earthquake showed that strong earthquakes are possible and probable in our country, as well as other disasters, for which it is necessary to be prepared for”, Grigoryan said.

According to him, the in-war country in 1991 made the first steps and created the population protection system. Initially the seismic protection service was created, followed by the emergency situations department.

“And now the ministry of emergency situations exists, which has gathered various powerful units: rescue service, seismic protection service, technical security service, hydro-meteorological service and others”, Grigoryan said.

The Major-General added no rescue structures existed during USSR years, however he stressed we have that structure today. “More than 3000 rescuers-firefighters improved their skills in our structure, equipped with hardware and receiving training. Rescuers of the ministry’s rescue service passed various exams, gained experience, and today we are a member of the “INSARAG”, the international search and rescue advisory group. This structure includes best rescuers of the world from developed countries. The professionalism of our rescuers of that group – the members of which are skilled in English, equipment and technical capacity, enables to operate in any country, equally”.

“Our neighboring countries would dream of being members of that organization. Different international organizations have always been next to us”, he said.

The Major-General said the creation of national crisis management centers in all provinces is one of the achievements of the ministry of emergency situations.

“We can conclude from all of this that today, by creating the national centers of crisis management, the 911 service, the ministry of emergency situations was able to provide a structure of trust for our population, where anyone can call 911 at anytime and receive assistance in all issues, ranging from ordinary household incidents up to the most difficult matters”, he said.