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Министерство Российской Федерации

по делам гражданской обороны, чрезвычайным ситуациям и ликвидации последствий стихийных бедствий

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Академия гражданской защиты

Субботина И.И.

УЧЕБНОЕ ПОСОБИЕ

ПО АНГЛИЙСКОМУ ЯЗЫКУ

Сivil Defence

Химки 2011

Civil defence system of russia

Active Vocabulary to Text A

disaster - бедствие

effect - последствие

accident - авария

emergency -чрезвычайная ситуация

decontamination - обеззараживание

to carry out - выполнять

to deal with … - иметь дело с …

to involve - вовлекать

to eliminate - ликвидировать

natural - природный

Text a Missions of Civil Defence Forces

In 1955 our country celebrated the tenth anniversary of the victory over the Nazi Germany. Heavy losses suffered by our country were still vivid in human memory.

Remembering it our government was taking measures on defence of the population and industry against new possible invasions. Particular attention was focused on protection against mass destruction wea­pons, specifically against nuclear ones. This mission was carried out by the Local Air Defence which was reorganized into the Civil Defence System of the Soviet Union in 1961. In 1971 the Civil Defence System was placed under the command of the Ministry of Defence. Civil Defence Forces integrated with the Armed Forces. Their status and standards of physical training were identical with the motorifle troops.

Initially the task of Civil Defence Forces was to carry out technical military tasks in support of the civilian civil defence effort. Civil Defence Forces provided such operations as bomb disposal, decontamination and maintenance of essential communications. But they were poor in dealing with natural disasters which were increasing every year and involving more and more losses. To solve this problem the Ministry for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters was formed and Civil Defence Forces were subordinated to it. So, at present Civil Defence Forces carry out not only military civil defence missions but they also eliminate the effects of natural disarsters, large scale accidents and other emergencies.

Questions to Text A

1. When was the Civil Defence System of the Soviet Union formed?

2. What was the base for Civil Defence of the Soviet Union?

3. What was the mission of the Local Air Defence?

4. When was the Civil Defence System placed under the command of

the Ministry of Defence?

5. What was the initial task of Civil Defence Forces?

6. Civil Defence Forces were poor in dealing with natural disasters,

weren’t they?

7. What operations did Civil Defence Forces provide in 1960-s?

8. When was the Ministry of Emergencies of Russia formed?

9. What is the full name of the Ministry of Emergencies of Russia?

10. What are the missions of Civil Defence Forces of Russia at

present?

* * * *

Text b Structure of Civil Defence Forces

Civil Defence Forces were formed in the 70-s. Initially their mission was to protect civilian population and territories against the effects of mass destruction weapons employment. Increasing number of natural catastrophes, technological and ecological disasters faced Civil Defence Forces the problem of immediate response to emergencies. More often Civil Defence Forces had to act in peace-time crisis situations providing relief and rescue operations in the event of earthquakes, landslides, wild fires, traffic accidents, etc. So, their missions were extended.

At present Civil Defence Forces are organized and trained to carry out missions on protection of people, industry and environment both at peace and war time. Their structure is determined by tasks they are to perform. To train personnel for Civil Defence Forces a separate training rescue center was organized.

Civil Defence Forces include different units and subunits. The main of them are rescue units and subunits, CBR protection units, fire-fighting regiments as well as helicopter detachments, automobile units and others. To conduct civil defence missions a high-risk operation centre, air squadrons, Central emergency communication centre as well as All-Russia’s monitoring and predicting centre are formed.

Units and subunits of Civil Defence Forces are equipped with modern search and rescue tools, measuring instruments, aviation and automobile machinery, special cross country vehicles, etc.

Civil Defence Forces are subordinated to the Ministry for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters. The Minister through his Deputy Minister controls the activity of Civil Defence Forces. The Deputy Minister in his turn is responsible for ensuring preparedness of Civil Defence Forces to act in emergency situations at time of peace and war. He performs his functions through civil defence centres located in different cities of the country.

While carrying out their missions Civil Defence Forces cooperate with regional civil defence centres, local civil defence headquarters, units of Ministry for Interior, Ministry of Health and other organizations.

The personnel of Civil Defence Forces is enlisted by contract and trained in several professions. Civil defence specialists are highly skilled and capable to render qualified emergency assistance. They know foreign languages and are ready to conduct relief operations abroad.