Havana, July 12, (RHC), – A Cuba-Russia Regional Rescue and Firefighter Training Center (CRESB) was inaugurated on Friday in Havana by authorities of the two countries to contribute to counteract the effects of natural disasters and fires in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The institution was inaugurated by Vladimir A. Puchkov, Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense Affairs, Emergency Situations and Relief of the Consequences of Disasters; and Army Corps General Abelardo Colome, member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party and Minister of the Interior.

Puchkov presented Colome; Major General Ramon Pardo, head of the General Staff of the National Civil Defense; and Colonel Luis Carlos Guzman, head of the Fire Department of Cuba, with the State Order “Participants in Emergency Humanitarian Operations.”

Likewise, they unveiled a plaque identifying the Center, located at the National Firemen School of Firefighters created on September, 1963, and toured its areas.

Guzman expressed his gratitude for the Russian technical assistance received by the School and also for the help received from the International Civil Defense Organization.