At the event, the acting head of the Department of Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Didar Kazhkenov, the head of the Committee for Civil Defense and Military Units of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Talgat Zhambauov, and the chief specialist of the Fire Service Committee of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Yeldos Ziyada, made speeches.
Rescue Operations During the Winter Season
According to Didar Kazhkenov, since the beginning of winter, the Ministry of Emergency Situations has evacuated 1,210 people from snowdrifts, including 120 children, and rescued 166 units of equipment. The affected individuals were accommodated in heating points, where they were provided with hot meals and warm clothing. Just in the first eight days of the current year, 224 people were rescued, including 29 children, and 32 units of equipment were evacuated. A total of 338 people, including 62 children, were taken to heating points. To assist citizens, 1,548 heating points have been prepared, along with 40 roadside medical rescue stations.
Fire Safety During the Heating Season
Yeldos Ziyada emphasized that the Ministry of Emergency Situations pays special attention to safety during the heating period. Since the start of the season, preventive measures have been carried out, covering more than 100,000 residential homes of socially vulnerable populations, with over 278,000 people instructed. As part of the preparations for the heating period, about 30,000 early warning devices have been installed. In December, a Fire Safety Month was held, during which Ministry staff conducted door-to-door visits and consultations.
Despite the preventive measures, in 2024, the residential sector recorded 6,964 fires (+1% compared to 2023), resulting in 288 fatalities (-3%) and 251 injuries. Emergency service units saved more than 1,000 people and evacuated 6,860. The main causes of fires are violations of fire safety regulations when using heating devices, electrical networks, and careless handling of fire.
Patrols on Water Bodies
Talgat Zhambauov reported that the Ministry of Emergency Situations is conducting a Republican awareness and prevention campaign "Muz-2024". As part of the campaign, more than 8,000 raids and patrols on water bodies have been organized. Rescuers have instructed 55,000 people, including fishing enthusiasts and hunters, on the rules of safe behavior on ice. 256 administrative protocols have been drawn up for violations, with fines totaling over 5.5 million tenge.
Recommendations from the Ministry of Emergency Situations
The Ministry of Emergency Situations urges citizens to adhere to fire safety rules, monitor storm warnings, and stay home in case of worsening weather. In an emergency, it is essential to call the rescue service at "112". It is also important to avoid going out on ice during dark hours and in poor visibility conditions, and to never leave children unattended on the ice.