An integrated dispatcher’s center for emergency situations was officially opened in Balti. Dispatchers of emergency medical services, rescuers, firefighters and police officers will be based in that building. The dispatcher’s center is part of a cross-border project between Moldova and Romania and is “a twin center” of the dispatcher’s center that will be inaugurated in Iasi, IPN reports.
Alexandru Oprea, head of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations of the Interior Ministry, said that the two integrated dispatcher’s offices, one in Balti and another one in Iasi, were built from scratch. Today, before New Year’s Eve, the Inspectorate’s dispatchers and the General Police Inspectorate serving the entire northern part of the country literally enter the new house, while the improvised dispatcher’s office dating from 2014 ceases its operations. The investment in the new building totaled €1.6 million, being covered with non-reimbursable funds of the European Union and the contribution from the Government of the Republic of Moldova.
Alexandru Oprea noted that the inaugurated dispatcher’s office completes the list of projects carried out with the support of the European Union in Moldova. Over the next two years, within a program implemented with the support of development partners, they intend to complete three other investment projects in the northern part of the country, in Ocnita, Donduseni and Glodeni districts, as well as two projects in the central region, Soldanesti and Causeni districts. All these investments come to improve the working conditions for the Interior Ministry’s employees and create the necessary premises for delivering services of a higher quality to society.
“When we were experimenting in 2014 with the idea of a joint dispatcher’s office for the police, firefighters and rescuers, a broader discussion was then held as to who should intervene first, for example in a road accident, and the traditional thinking is that the police should intervene first. We gradually adjusted ourselves, putting emphasis on human life, and said that the first to intervene should be the paramedics, rescuers and possibly firefighters. The other bodies should ensure that rescuers, firefighters, doctors take care of human lives in a road accident. The same applies to other emergencies. The priorities always remain the same – people’s lives. Today we have an improved system, a modern system to ensure this priority,” said Prime Minister Dorin Recean.
Interior Minister Adrian Efros said the integrated dispatcher’s office will be the place where police officers, rescuers, firefighters and doctors will be on duty so as to act promptly, efficiently and in support of citizens.
The dispatcher’s center for emergency situations will serve residents of districts situated in northern Moldova and of Balti municipality.
