Ukraine together with France will produce high-altitude lifts for fire trucks — Arsen Avakov
This was stated today, March 30, by the Chairman of the Joint Ukrainian-French Commission for Economic Cooperation, Minister of the Interior Arsen Avakov during the signing of the Protocol of Intent between the State Emergency Service and the French company Echelles Riffaud, a manufacturer of high-altitude lifts for fire trucks.
The document was signed by the head of the State Emergency Service Nikolai Chechotkin, CEO of Echelles Riffaud Benjamen Kustier and the export director of the company Mark Lariv.
Arsen Avakov said that the fire and rescue units had a critical situation with modern technical means to ensure the extinguishing of fires and rescuing people from high-rise buildings. The existing equipment has been in operation for more than 40 years, and 90% of which have already worked out all the established service life.
“Unfortunately, Ukraine has not produced and does not produce such equipment. Therefore, the Ministry of Internal Affairs together with the French partners agreed on the production of modern fire equipment for Ukrainian rescuers,” the Minister of Internal Affairs noted.
Arsen Avakov stressed that according to the results of negotiations with French companies producing fire equipment, the company Echelles Riffaud, which has been operating on the market for more than 150 years, was chosen.
“We are talking about the production of complexes with lifts up to 33 and 42 meters. However, an important aspect of bilateral cooperation remains the condition when French-made cars will be assembled at Ukrainian factories. It is planned to purchase 370 such fire engines. In addition, our specialists will be trained by their French colleagues,” the minister said.
Arsen Avakov noted that the cost of the contract is 300 million euros. However, the French side went on the terms of long-term lending, which is designed for 10 years.
“The result of our fruitful work with the French Embassy in Ukraine was today's signing of the Protocol of Intent between the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the French company Echelles Riffaud on cooperation in the field of fire equipment production,” Arsen Avakov said.
The Minister of Internal Affairs added that in the future the signed Protocol will be drafted into an Intergovernmental Agreement, which will be ratified by the People's Deputies. According to the preliminary plan, new cars will work in Ukrainian cities next year.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to Ukraine Etienne de Ponsen reminded that Ukraine and France are already working on two large joint contracts — the supply of 55 helicopters within the framework of the Unified Aviation System and 20 patrol boats for the needs of the DPS.
“France is always happy to cooperate with Ukraine and agrees to localize production in your country. We will continue to support your projects and proposals,” said Etienne de Ponsen.
The head of the State Emergency Service Nikolai Chechotkin noted that today a historic event took place — the beginning of technical re-equipment of the units of the State Emergency Service with high-altitude fire and rescue equipment.
“We have only 290 necessary lifts and 260 of them have already worked out their resources. Given the wear and tear of this equipment and the lack of production in Ukraine, we carefully studied the capabilities of European manufacturers. From the implementation of the joint project, we expect to completely re-equip our units with high-altitude equipment for rescuing people. This will make it possible to provide better services to our population and save human lives. I am convinced that our joint work has a powerful potential,” said Nikolai Chechotkin.
Recall, the Minister of Internal Affairs stated that already in April the flight brigade of the Aviation System of the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be on permanent duty in the Lviv region, by the autumn such points will be operational throughout the country. In addition to the flight staff, doctors will be constantly on duty at such points.
