SCIENTIFIC NETWORKING AND THE GLOBAL HEALTH SUPERCOURSE FOR THE PREVENTION OF THREAT FROM MAN MADE AND NATURAL DISASTERS August , Kaunas, Lithuania Vladas Mireckas, MD Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania STATE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE: our view to Scientific Networking and Global Health Supercourse

Structure of Fire Rescue Forces in Lithuania Fire and Rescue forces is divided into two main types: – State Fire and Rescue Service I – State Fire and Rescue Service Municipal Fire Brigades II – Municipal Fire Brigades The State Fire and Rescue Service consists of: 1. Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of Interior; fire and rescue services (located in the main cities across the country); 3. Firefighters Training School; 4. Fire Research Center. 275 Fire Brigades operating in municipalities across the country.

Staff State Fire Rescue Service: 4856 Municipal Fire Brigades: 2100

LAW ON CIVIL PROTECTION 15 December 1998 No VIII-971 (As amended by 5 February 2004 No IX-2001) Article 11. State Fire and Rescue Service 1. The State Fire and Rescue Service shall be a constituent part of the Civil Protection and Rescue System which shall be in the state of constant readiness, organise the extinguishment of fires, extinguish fires and carry out rescue operations as well as State fire prevention supervision. LEGISLATIVE CONSIDERATIONS

LAW ON CIVIL PROTECTION 15 December 1998 No VIII-971 (As amended by 5 February 2004 No IX-2001) Article 11. State Fire and Rescue Service 2. The State Fire Prevention and Rescue Service, municipal fire prevention services, departmental fire prevention forces and voluntary firemen units taking part in an emergency response operation shall be subordinate, irrespective of their institutional dependence, to the commander of rescue operations appointed, in the prescribed manner, by Director of the Fire and Rescue Department under the Ministry of the Interior (hereinafter – the Fire and Rescue Department). LEGISLATIVE CONSIDERATIONS

LAW ON CIVIL PROTECTION 15 December 1998 No VIII-971 (As amended by 5 February 2004 No IX-2001) Article 10. Fire and Rescue Department 1. The Fire and Rescue Department shall be a constituent part of the civil protection and rescue system directing the activities of the civil protection and rescue system, organising the prevention of emergencies, coordinating the activities of State institutions and economic entities in the sphere of civil protection and planning the national preparedness for the implementation of civil protection tasks in the event of an emergency in time of peace and in wartime. LEGISLATIVE CONSIDERATIONS

LAW ON CIVIL PROTECTION 15 December 1998 No VIII-971 (As amended by 5 February 2004 No IX-2001) Article 10. Fire and Rescue Department 2. When implementing the tasks assigned to it, the Fire and Rescue Department shall: 2) plan measures in order to ensure the transfer of State institutions, economic entities and the population from ordinary working (living) conditions to an emergency with the smallest possible losses, maintenance of order, preservation of human life, health and property and protection of the environment against the effects of the emergency; 5) control the activities of the civil protection and rescue system; LEGISLATIVE CONSIDERATIONS

LAW ON CIVIL PROTECTION 15 December 1998 No VIII-971 (As amended by 5 February 2004 No IX-2001) Article 10. Fire and Rescue Department 2. When implementing the tasks assigned to it, the Fire and Rescue Department shall: 6) organize the preparedness of State institutions and the community for practical actions in case of an emergency; 8) coordinate the preparation of plans of civil protection preparedness for an emergency in counties and municipalities; 9) agree county plans of civil protection preparedness for an emergency. LEGISLATIVE CONSIDERATIONS

LAW ON CIVIL PROTECTION 15 December 1998 No VIII-971 (As amended by 5 February 2004 No IX-2001) Article 24. Fire and Rescue Service Forces and Their Purpose The purpose of the service shall be to organize the extinguishment of fires, extinguish fires, carry out rescue operations, respond to natural disasters, chemical and radiation incidents and to provide first medical aid to the victims. LEGISLATIVE CONSIDERATIONS

LAW ON CIVIL PROTECTION 15 December 1998 No VIII-971 (As amended by 5 February 2004 No IX-2001) Article 30. Command of Rescue and Other Emergency Operations 6. Medical care and public health care institutions must be prepared to organize their activities in the event of an emergency in accordance with a plan of civil protection preparedness of the agency for an emergency which has been prepared in advance. The plan shall be developed according to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health. LEGISLATIVE CONSIDERATIONS

In view of the circumstances stated the Fire and Rescue Department is interested in establishing an efficient and science-based system for the activities of the personal and public health care institutions in the event of emergencies. Our point is that the system in question should be based on the following principles:  Permanent preparedness (standby);  Advance planning of actions;  Modular training;  Inter-institutional and international cooperation;  Application of scientific knowledge. CONCLUSION

As one of the former USSR countries Lithuania has much to accomplish in order to establish such a system, which seems to be a hard task to tackle without appropriate knowledge. We are convinced that the establishment of the scientific research data network in the field of emergency prevention and their consequence mitigation is an excellent and timely instrument for the dissemination of such information, which will enable the countries participating in the project to advance their preparedness for emergency response more rapidly. I extend my congratulations both to the hosts as well as the participants who have convened to this long-awaited seminar. I wish you all fruitful work and interesting social activities. CONCLUSION