The Algerian Minister of the Interior, Local Authorities and Territorial Planning, Brahim Merad, revealed last Thursday in Algiers the purchase of a water bomber plane and the upcoming rental of six other aircraft. He also returns to the reasons which would explain the delay linked to the reception of the Russian bombers.
According to APS, during a plenary session of the Council of Nation, chaired by Salah Goudjil, president of this parliamentary institution, Mr. Merad indicated that the Ministry of National Defense has started the procedures to acquire four Russian planes .
The receipt of these was delayed due to the consequences of the crisis in Ukraine. One of these planes should be delivered in the coming weeks, while six others will be chartered with a technical team. In addition, a call for tenders will be launched for the purchase of six additional firefighting vehicles, in accordance with the instructions of the President of the Republic.
Strengthening of human and material capacities
Addressing the issue of assessing the skills of the Civil Protection services and the General Directorate of Forests for the prevention and management of natural disasters, the Minister highlighted the efforts made by his department to increase human resources and materials of Civil Protection.
The main objective is to provide competent specialists and the means required to carry out their missions, while guaranteeing a balanced presence of these units throughout the national territory.
The minister also mentioned the establishment of 50 emergency response teams specializing in rescue operations under the rubble, bringing together more than 5,000 people involved. In addition, other teams dedicated to search and rescue in urban areas (composed of 86 members per unit) were created.
The system has been reinforced by the addition of specialized groups, including canine units, spread over 26 regions. Reconnaissance and intervention groups in dangerous environments (GRIMP) have been deployed in 24 regions, as well as 20 intervention units dedicated to radiological, chemical and biological incidents. The air fleet includes more than 20 pilots and 87 pilot technicians.
Mobilization of forest services and use of innovative technologies
As far as firefighting is concerned, more than 765 Civil Protection intervention units are deployed annually in forest areas, alongside 65 mobile columns made up of 3,770 members equipped with 650 fire trucks of all types. , in addition to 6 helicopters belonging to the Civil Protection air group.
The Minister mentioned the evaluation of forest services and the annual prevention campaign. The Directorate General of Forests (DGF) has resources to fight fires, including 387 control towers, 544 mobile brigades, 748 workshops and 8,294 agents equipped with various means. The High Command of the National Gendarmerie will participate alongside the Civil Protection and the forest services, by mobilizing 22 helicopters.
Ten helicopter landing pads have been set up and local drones will be used to monitor and prevent forest fires.
