Every year on September 17, a special holiday is celebrated - the Day of Civil Protection Workers in Ukraine. The date is dedicated to honoring and thanking those who prefer danger and risk to protecting the lives and health of citizens in emergencies and disasters. Learn about the importance of the holiday today and the heroes of our time

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Thanks to their daily work, rescuers have saved thousands of lives, extinguished over 100,000 fires, and defused over 430,000 explosive devices. 

We talk about the tasks performed by civil defense workers today and the risks they take to ensure the safety of citizens.

Rescuer's Day: the importance of the holiday

Since the beginning of the large-scale russian invasion, 80 Ukrainian rescuers have been killed, 287 injured, 435 Ukrainians have received state awards, and three SES employees have been awarded the title of Hero of Ukraine. 

In his speech on the Day of Rescuers, Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized:

"Ukraine's resilience is the result, among other things, of your work. When you need to rescue people under fire, it is often an extremely dangerous but heroic situation, when bulletproof vests become an indispensable element of rescuers' overalls. If you work in a city or region that is subjected to russian shelling every day, it is an extremely dangerous but heroic job."

The President emphasized that heroes often did the impossible to drive out the occupants and bring Ukraine closer to victory. 

"Heroic actions on the front line are based on the dedication and focus of those in the rear. All those who work for their country. Those whose profession is to save and help, and those who have strong feelings for life, respect for life and are the savior of other lives," Zelensky said. 

The President also added that today the courage of not only the professional staff of the National Emergency Service of Ukraine, but also ordinary people who save the lives of others will be honored. 

The importance of civil defense workers in Ukraine

Rescuers in Ukraine are people whose importance and contribution to the security and protection of the nation cannot be overestimated. They are an indispensable link in the country's defense and security system and take on the most dangerous tasks in emergencies and military conflict.

The tasks of civil protection workers:

• Saving lives and providing assistance: Civil protection workers respond immediately to emergencies such as fires, earthquakes, floods, accidents at high-risk facilities, terrorist attacks and other dangerous events. They rescue people from traps, provide medical assistance, and coordinate evacuations.

• Disaster Prevention: Civil protection professionals also work to create systems and programs to prevent emergencies and minimize their impact.

• Disaster relief: Rescuers take on the difficult task of dealing with the aftermath of accidents, including fires, hazardous substance releases, building collapses, and other disasters that threaten human life and health.

• Working in wartime: Civil protection workers have become an integral part of a country's efforts to protect its citizens. They defuse explosive devices, help evacuate civilians from danger zones, and provide rescue for the wounded.

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Awarding heroes with honors and titles

The President awarded the Order "For Courage" to employees of the State Emergency Service. In the presence of the Head of State, the winners of the "Hero of the Year - Rescuer" award across Ukraine were also presented with awards.

The award was given to Ukrainians who saved lives by showing courage and heroism in the face of russia's total invasion. 

In particular, the award was given to Bogdan Sergeev, chief specialist of the Department of Civil Protection, Mobilization and Defense of the Donetsk Regional State Administration, who rescued two girls from the rubble after an enemy missile hit a 25-storey residential building. 

The award was also presented to Oleksandr Prykhodko, an employee of the Poltava Regional Department of Justice, who rescued a drowning girl. 

The diploma was also awarded to Andriy Odarchuk, a student, combat medic and volunteer firefighter who rushed to the aid of Kherson rescuers who came under enemy fire during rescue operations.

Yuriy Vasecky, deputy commander of the 3rd Self-Propelled Artillery Division of the 37th Separate Brigade and president of the Dnipro Greyhound Federation, was awarded for his courage and heroism in rescuing people who suffered from a russian missile hitting a residential building in Dnipro on January 14. 

Vasyl Chepovyk, Anastasia Golubova and Myroslav Krylyak also received awards for their courage and bravery in extremely difficult situations.  

Unfortunately, the work of civilian rescuers is often associated with danger to their own lives, and sometimes it can lead to tragic losses. 

Therefore, the Day of Civil Protection Workers in Ukraine is not only an opportunity to honor and celebrate those who risk their lives to save others, but also a reminder of the importance of supporting these heroes in their hard and important work.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your tireless and selfless work in emergencies and crisis situations. Your readiness and courage are of utmost importance to ensure the safety and security of our country and its citizens.

We wish you good health, strength and confidence in every step of your service. May your work always bring positive results and give hope and peace to our country!

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