Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan visited the Ministry of Emergency Situations to discuss activities, tasks and objectives with the Ministry’s top leadership.
Minister of Emergency Situations Minister David Tonoyan briefed the Premier on the steps taken to enhance the level of civil defense through training, implement the national strategy for disaster risk management, capacity building to ensure availability of emergency assistance, as well as activities for international cooperation and sustainable development.
Then the deputy ministers and the heads of individual departments reported the activities aimed at seismic protection, crisis management, licensing, hydrometeorology, anti-hail protection, rescue services and programs implemented to ensure the enforcement of safety standards, as well as the planned reforms. It was noted that through the application of modern technologies and continuous upgrading of these systems it will be possible to increase overall efficiency, reduce costs and ensure optimal management.
“The whole world and the managers in particular are talking about digitization of business processes. I think that the Ministry of Emergency Situations is at the forefront, and I expect you to formulate appropriate recommendations with pen and paper” the Head of Government said. Referring to the issue of anti-hail protection, the Prime Minister hailed the introduction of a missile-operated anti-hail protection system, which was recently proposed by David Tonoyan.
“We must move forward bravely in this direction, since the comparative analysis points to huge discrepancies between the missile system of anti-hail protection and the system operating today. Regardless of what financial resources it requires, the multiplier effect we can get in agriculture is incomparably higher. In this regard, we will implement a pilot program, after which we will unequivocally allocate the needed funds estimated at about USD 10-12 million,” Karen Karapetyan said.
The Prime Minister commissioned to make an inventory of existing anti-hail gas-generator stations according to the form of ownership, operational status, expediency of installation and streamline the regulatory framework in this area.
“We must rule out the stationing of anti-hail stations without coordination with the Ministry of Emergency Situations. You must give an accurate estimate of what we need. The system we are using is mere show. It is unclear why funds are being spent on an anti-hail system, which has an estimated efficiency of 10%. We expect you to provide very strict regulations,” the Premier emphasized.
Summarizing the discussion, Karen Karapetyan instructed those responsible to submit their recommendations to the government in writing, stressing that they will be given due consideration.
“The Ministry of Emergency Situations is a well-organized agency, and a lot of work has been done to date. We expect you provide modern and smart management. In anticipation of this meeting, I discussed with the Minister of Emergency Situations some of the opportunities available today, which can have a great impact with smart management. We will pay attention to equipment and supplies, educational programs and all those issues that were raised today, since we understand the importance of the moment,” the Prime Minister concluded.
The Prime Minister next called at the Crisis Management Center of the National Rescue Service, where he was briefed on the Center’s structure, mission, core activities and development programs. The Premier was given detailed information on the Center’s role in the system of anti-hail protection and the modernization and efficient use of the video surveillance system.