Today Kazakhstan marks Rescue Worker Day. These professionals fight fires and save lives day and night. They monitor glacial lakes in high mountains and conduct search operations by helicopter. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
History of the holiday
Rescue Worker Day was officially established in Kazakhstan in 2008. Before that, firefighters celebrated their professional holiday on April 17. That is because on this day in 1918 the decree "On the organization of state measures to combat fire" was signed.
In Soviet times, rescuers did not have a separate professional holiday. This was because a unified state rescue service had not been created. At that time, departmental structures were involved in eliminating the consequences of emergencies and disasters – militarized emergency rescue services, rescuers of civil defense units and mountaineering rescue teams.
On October 19, 1995, by decree of the President of Kazakhstan, the State Committee for Emergency Situations was established. Over 31 years since then, this structure has changed several times. First it was an agency, then a ministry. After that it became part of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. In 2020 it was re-established as an independent ministry.
Technologies used by rescuers
Today, important data from all over the country flows into the Crisis Center of the Ministry of Emergency Situations. Based on this data, it is possible to prevent emergencies.
Among the digital systems used are:
- 01the "Tabigat" system for early detection of natural fires;
- 02the "Tasqyn" and "Talsim" systems, which help model flood processes;
- 03digital monitoring tools for the situation in the Caspian Sea and seismic activity.
Video information from 114 cameras installed in eight regions of the country for early detection of forest fires flows into the Crisis Center. In addition, specialists receive data from 18 mines and ore deposits owned by Qarmet JSC, Kazakhmys JSC and Shalkiya Zinc LLP.
Interesting facts
324 married couples serve in the emergency situations system. 28 people have been rescued with the help of drones. Rescuers have 45 aircraft and helicopters at their disposal. They not only conduct search operations but also transport patients. In high mountain areas, 12 modular residential buildings have been built to ensure long-term duty.
During the swimming season, 376 people were rescued. Of these, 125 were minors. A specialized vessel has been purchased for the "Sea Squad" to conduct emergency rescue operations, as well as to respond to oil spills and emergency incidents in the Kazakh sector of the Caspian Sea.
Kazakhstan's fire protection is provided by 457 fire departments. Under the departmental program "Aul Rescuers", 292 fire posts have been built.
What conditions have been created for rescuers?
Since June 2025, a number of social support measures have been introduced for employees of civil protection bodies. These include:
- 01housing payments;
- 02relocation allowances when transferred to another location for service;
- 03reimbursement of travel and property transportation costs.
Monetary incentive measures are also provided for employees who performed official duties in areas where a state of emergency was declared. In the history of Kazakhstan's fire and rescue services, 77 employees have died in the line of duty.
Work over nine months
Since the beginning of 2026, emergency services have responded to approximately 82,000 calls. During this period:
- 01more than 8,800 people were rescued;
- 02more than 10,300 citizens were evacuated;
- 03medical assistance was provided to more than 3,200 affected people.
In addition, during this period the "112" service hotline received more than 4.2 million calls.
What professional holidays are there in October?
Several professional holidays are celebrated in October. They are:
- 01October 1 – Radio Day;
- 02October 5 – Teacher's Day;
- 03October 6 – Defense Industry Workers' Day;
- 04October 10 – Kazakhstan Trade Unions Day;
- 05October 19 – Rescue Worker Day;
- 06third Sunday of October – Forestry Worker Day;
- 07October 24 – Librarian Day;
- 08last Sunday of October – Social Protection System Workers' Day;
- 09October 29 – Security Organizations Workers' Day.
How many days off are provided for Republic Day?
In October, Kazakhstan also celebrates a public holiday – Republic Day. This year October 25 falls on Sunday. In this regard, an additional day off is provided on Monday, October 26. Thus, with a five-day work week, Kazakhstanis will rest for three consecutive days – October 24, 25 and 26.