On July 16, the second training for representatives of the Bilozerka and Stanislav communities was held in the village of Myroliubivka as part of the project "Reducing risks to the life and health of the population by strengthening the capacity for emergency response in front-line communities of the Kherson region".
This time, the training focused on fire safety. This topic is becoming increasingly relevant for frontline communities in the Kherson region due to constant shelling, drone attacks, and the risk of fires in residential buildings, farm structures, and open areas.
Starosty, heads of OSBBs (condominiums), and heads of residential quarters from the Bilozerka and Stanislav communities participated in the training. These individuals are often the first to respond to emergencies in their settlements, neighborhoods, apartment buildings, and private homes: they alert residents, help organize mutual aid, relay important information, and coordinate basic on-site actions.
During the training session, led by specialists from the Educational and Methodological Center for Civil Defense and Life Safety of the Kherson region, participants learned how to respond to a fire following shelling, how to assess the situation without putting themselves at unnecessary risk, when it is safe to attempt to extinguish the fire on their own, and when it is necessary to immediately move to a safe place and call emergency responders.
They also discussed the rules for using fire extinguishers, common mistakes made during firefighting, the dangers of smoke, the risks of repeated shelling, and the potential for electrical appliances, gas equipment, dry grass, and outbuildings to catch fire. Participants were also reminded that during a fire, the first priority is not to waste time, to warn those nearby, and not to put yourself in additional danger.
In frontline communities, a fire can spread rapidly after shelling, and rescue workers may not be able to reach the scene promptly due to security concerns. That is why basic fire safety skills, an understanding of evacuation procedures, and the ability to use a fire extinguisher correctly can be critical to saving lives and property.
This is the second training session in a series of three educational modules. The first training session, held on July 7 in Myroliubivka, focused on drone and mine safety. The final stage of the course will be first-aid training.
After completing the full course, participants will receive safety kits, which they will then hand over to residents of households and apartments in their communities. Such kits include a VP-5 powder fire extinguisher, a first-aid kit with turnstiles, a power bank, an LED flashlight, a rescue whistle, and information booklets.
The project aims to support residents of frontline communities not only with essential emergency response supplies but also with practical knowledge. In situations where danger can arise at any moment, trained community representatives serve as a vital link in local safety and mutual aid.
The project is implemented by the Kherson Regional Charitable Foundation “Union” in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) within the Kherson Consortium for Territorial Resource Allocation (ABA), which DRC implements together with Acted and Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) with the support of the Humanitarian Fund for Ukraine (UHF).
