On 13 October, a number of new facilities at the Republican Training and Methodology Centre of the Committee for Emergency Situations and Civil Defence (CES) were inaugurated in Tajikistan’s Shahrinav district in the presence of President Emomali Rahmon. They include a training ground covering more than 10 hectares, the country’s first specialist diver training centre, and a temporary camp capable of accommodating 800 people affected by emergencies, the presidential press service reports.
One of the main facilities is a practical training ground for rescue workers. Spread across more than 10 hectares, it features 20 training stages where CES personnel can practise responses to natural disasters and man-made accidents.
The ground includes areas for training in rescue operations at road traffic accidents, disaster response, diving operations, and the use of specialist equipment. According to the presidential press service, there is no comparable facility in the region.
Country’s first diver training centre
Another new facility is a specialist building for diver training — the first of its kind in Tajikistan. It is equipped with two pools, 4.8 and 15 metres deep respectively, three training classrooms, and a conference hall with 20 seats.
The centre has cameras for monitoring training sessions both underwater and on land in real time, as well as a hyperbaric chamber designed to ensure the safety of divers and provide them with the necessary medical assistance.
In the new building, rescue workers will be able to train for complex underwater operations in the mountainous terrain and varied bodies of water found across Tajikistan.
Temporary camp for 800 people
A temporary camp for people affected by earthquakes, floods, and other emergencies has also been built on the centre’s grounds.
Across an area of one hectare, 68 tents have been erected with capacity for 800 people. The camp includes a field hospital capable of performing surgical operations, a canteen for 800 people, and the necessary support infrastructure.
In addition, a civil defence shelter intended to protect the public during emergencies has been opened at the centre.
Canine centre, classrooms and dormitories
Among the new facilities is a training canine centre for service dogs involved in search-and-rescue operations. It is equipped with 10 kennels, rooms for classes, and 12 working offices.
Five field classrooms have also been opened, with capacity for 300 people to study simultaneously. On the adjacent grounds, rescue workers and military personnel will be able to undergo engineering, tactical, and mine-detection training, as well as study methods of radiation, chemical, and biological protection.
A new academic building comprises 20 rooms, including classrooms for first aid, mountaineering and industrial accident response, civil defence, psychology, and an electronic library.
A dormitory with 600 places has been built for staff and students, and a further dormitory with 80 places for instructors and rescue workers from Tajikistan and abroad. A medical post with 14 beds, a canteen for 300 people, sports facilities, and other support structures have also been opened.
On the centre’s grounds, a two-storey building called “Kohi Najot” (“Palace of Salvation”) has been erected, housing a conference hall with 366 seats and a museum dedicated to the President of Tajikistan. A separate building for receiving foreign guests, with accommodation for 25 people, has also been constructed.
In total, during his visit to the centre the president remotely commissioned 16 facilities and also familiarised himself with other new buildings and training infrastructure.
Rescue workers from five countries take part in exercises
On the same day, Emomali Rahmon observed the international exercises “Skala-2026”, which are being held at the centre with the participation of rescue units from five CSTO member states — Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, and Russia.
According to the exercise scenario, a devastating earthquake struck a notional territory. Rescue workers practised locating casualties, conducting rescue operations, and responding to the consequences of natural and man-made emergencies.
Specialist rescue equipment and machinery were used to carry out the tasks.