Russia

When the Soviet Union collapsed and the Russian Federation was formed in 1991, the national government reorganized its civil defense and disaster response agencies. Russian President Boris Yeltsin established the Ministry of Civil Defense, Emergencies, and Disaster Relief, internationally known as EMERCOM, in 1994. Key groups within EMERCOM include the Russian Rescue Corps, Search and Rescue Service centers, the State Small Vessels Committee's Water Rescue units, the State Small Vessels Inspection of Russia, the Russian State Fire Service, and the Emergencies Forecast and Monitoring System. Local governments also provide emergency and rescue units to respond to disasters.

The Russian Federation, EMERCOM, the Russian Red Cross, and other groups are working to improve Russia's disaster preparedness, mitigation, and relief programs. EMRCOM areas include firefighting, civil defense, search ...