Authorities discuss coordination of search and rescue operations

During the whole-day workshop such issues were under consideration as closer collaboration of institutions and their action coordination in search and rescues operations in case of an aircraft accident or an extreme situation in Lithuania. Incidents and lessons learned in 2017 were also being reviewed. At the meeting special attention was focused on the rapidly growing number of UAVs, their legal regulation and ensuring airspace safety.

The international exercises which had recently taken place as well as those to be arranged this year were discussed, and the lessons learned after the exercise Hybrid Wind IoT 2018 in strategic state objects in February, which had been initiated by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, were also reviewed.

Among participants of the workshop were representatives of the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Justice, officials of the Air Force of the Lithuanian Army, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, the State Border Guard Service, the Fire and Rescue Department, officials of the Civil Aviation Administration, SE Oro Navigacija, representatives of the Lithuanian Airports and also officials of the General Help Centre, the Police Department, and Vilnius County Chief Police Commissariat.

At such meetings, annually being organised by the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre of SE Oro Navigacija (coordinates search and rescue operations in continental Lithuania), representatives of institutions responsible for search and rescue operations discuss vital issues, interaction between different authorities in case of an accident as well as their future plans for joint practical training.