## Overview The Russian Emergencies Ministry, officially known as the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters (EMERCOM), is a federal executive authority responsible for developing and implementing state policy on civil defence, emergency management, fire safety, and water safety throughout Russia[1][2]. Its headquarters is located in Moscow, and it is led by the Minister, currently Lieutenant General Alexander Kurenkov, appointed in May 2022[2]. ## Functions and Responsibilities EMERCOM’s core tasks include the prevention, forecasting, and mitigation of emergencies and fires; legal regulation and supervision in these areas; and the management of the Unified State System for Prevention and Elimination of Emergencies (RSChS)[1][2]. The ministry directs militarized rescue units, specialized aviation, and the Federal Fire Service, integrating engineering, medical, logistics, chemical-biological-radiological-nuclear (CBRN), water-rescue, and communications capabilities for multi-hazard response[2]. It also coordinates emergency humanitarian operations, both domestically and internationally, including delivering aid and evacuating Russian citizens from crisis zones abroad[1][4]. ## History EMERCOM was established by presidential decree on January 10, 1994, building on the foundation of the Russian Rescue Corps created in 1990[2][3]. Its formation responded to the increasing frequency and severity of natural and man-made disasters in Russia, prompting the government to centralize emergency response under a dedicated ministry[5]. Key legal frameworks include Federal Law No. 68-FZ (1994) on emergency protection and Federal Law No. 28-FZ (1998) on civil defence[2]. ## Key Achievements EMERCOM has developed a reputation for rapid, large-scale disaster response, both within Russia and internationally. It has deployed teams to major domestic incidents—such as forest fires, floods, and industrial accidents—as well