Russia is responsible for organizing Barents Rescue 2009, which will take place in the Murmansk Region during the period of 8 through 10 September 2009.
“The purpose of these exercises is to strengthen co-ordination between nations in the Barents Region in case of emergency”, says Director Mr. Per Kristen Brekke in the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning (DSB). Important objectives are co-operation in case of major catastrophes, routines for warnings, and the availability of emergency rescue resources.
Barents Rescue 2009 will include participants from Russia, Norway, Finland and Sweden. DSB has been given the responsibility for coordinating the planning and completion of the exercise on behalf of Norway. The Ministry of Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM of Russia) is responsible for this year’s exercise, which consists of five scenarios being a radioactive emission, a bus accident, a forest fire, an oil spillage and search-and-rescue at sea.
“The overall aim of Barents Rescue is to facilitate a better communication, co-ordination and co-operation between countries and Civil-Military services that may become involved in an emergency relevant to the Northern Region” says Mr. Brekke. “This will strengthen preparedness and increase the effectiveness of rescue operations.”
“In December 2008, a new agreement concerning rescue co-operation in the Barents Region was signed by Russia, Finland, Sweden and Norway. This agreement will be an important tool for increased rescue co-operation in the region.”
Representatives from the following authorities and organizations will participate of behalf of Norway: The Norwegian Ministry of Justice and the Police; the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Armed Forces, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre of Northern Norway; the Norwegian Coastal Administration, the Northern Health Authorities, the Police, the Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority as well as central authorities in the field of rescue and preparedness in the Northern Region and DSB.
History
The first Barents Rescue Exercise took place in 2001. During the celebration, which marked the 10-year jubilee for BEAC in 2003, a summit was held in Kirkenes. During talks between the Norwegian Prime Minister at that time, Mr. Kjell Magne Bondevik, and the Russian Prime Minister at that time, Mr. Mikhail Kasjanov, it was decided that a major exercise should be held between all the countries in the Northern Region every second year.