Today, the Ministry of Emergency Situations is facing serious problems caused by uncontrolled parking and chaos in construction. At a recent press conference at the Sputnik center, First Deputy Minister of Emergency Situations Azamat Mambetov shared alarming data: in 2025, the number of fire victims in Kyrgyzstan increased. He cited congestion in yards and narrow streets filled with cars as the main reason for this.
Mambetov noted: "Rescue vehicles cannot quickly reach fire sites. Drivers are afraid of damaging improperly parked cars, and due to the disorder in construction, it is sometimes simply impossible to reach the scene of the incident."
The situation appears paradoxical, especially against the backdrop of a large-scale modernization of the agency. Since 2020, the Ministry of Emergency Situations has acquired about 670 units of equipment worth over 3 billion soms. Now, rescuers have about 200 modern fire trucks that can carry up to 6 tons of water. In the near future, more than 120 engineering vehicles are expected to arrive, and negotiations are underway to purchase two cargo-passenger helicopters from South Korea, in addition to the three already available.
The Deputy Minister reported on preparations for international certification under the auspices of the UN, within which the certification of two search and rescue teams located in the north and south of the country is planned. The construction of 20 new fire and rescue stations across the republic is also planned, which should significantly reduce response times to calls.
However, as Azamat Mambetov emphasized, even the most modern equipment will not solve the problem if society does not recognize its responsibility. He urged both business leaders and ordinary citizens to pay attention to fire safety, adhere to building codes, and insure their homes. As long as access roads to houses remain congested with private vehicles, the threat of new tragedies will remain high, despite the government's efforts to improve the agency's equipment.
