Astana is tackling courtyards clogged with parked cars that block emergency vehicles from reaching call-outs by using special evacuation trolleys, administrative fines and outreach to residents. Emergencies Minister Murat Mukhanov described the measures at a government briefing, answering a question on how the capital is dealing with parking that obstructs fire engines, infohub.kz reports.
"Such problems existed and still occur. But our firefighters and rescuers try not to lose a single second. Fire units have special trolleys for evacuating cars. We have drafted amendments on free passage and the allocation of spaces for emergency vehicles. We work together with the Interior Ministry. In such cases administrative fines are applied. During door-to-door visits in the heating season we work with apartment owners' associations and housing cooperatives, hold meetings with residents and explain that driveways and approaches to buildings must not be blocked," Murat Mukhanov said.
Recall that in April a tragedy in Astana caused widespread public outcry. In the early hours of April 12, a fire broke out in a 15th-floor apartment of a 21-storey residential building on Turkestan Street in the capital's Yesil district. Twenty people were evacuated, but the bodies of three minor children were found in the apartment. A woman was also hospitalized with burns. It was reported that a car had blocked access to the burning building.
Later, MP Olzhas Kuspekov proposed creating fire lanes near residential buildings and allowing rescuers to remove and damage obstructing cars. After the proposal was made, the Emergencies Ministry explained why firefighters in Astana did not ram the vehicles. It stated that "the car did not critically block the passage" and was removed as quickly as possible.