This Order of the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine No. 233 dated April 30, 2026 (as amended on May 20, 2026) approves new Regulations on the Departmental Fire Service (DFS) for two strategic facilities in the Exclusion Zone: the Chornobyl Radiation and Biosphere Reserve and the State Specialized Enterprise “Pivnichna Pushcha”. The document defines the legal status, tasks, and powers of these units, aimed at ensuring fire safety, rescuing people, and protecting state property. The Order effectively updates the regulatory framework, repealing obsolete acts and bringing the activities of the fire service into compliance with the requirements of the Civil Protection Code of Ukraine.
### Structure and Main Provisions
The Order consists of an executive part and two separate Regulations (for the Reserve and the SSE “Pivnichna Pushcha”). Key provisions include:
* **Definition of tasks:** fire prevention, direct extinguishing, conducting emergency rescue operations, and monitoring compliance with the fire safety regime.
* **Management and subordination:** The DFS is subordinate to the management of the respective enterprise, while methodological guidance is provided at the departmental level, and oversight of activities is conducted by the State Emergency Service (SES).
* **Changes:** compared to previous versions, mechanisms for interaction with the SES and requirements for employee insurance have been updated, and the procedure for deploying equipment and personnel for fire extinguishing has been clarified.
### Most Important Provisions for Practical Use
1. **Rights of DFS officials:** employees have the right of unhindered access to any premises within the territory of the facilities during fire extinguishing, the right to draw up protocols on administrative offenses, and to initiate investigations into the causes of fires.
2. **Staffing requirements:** only persons with appropriate specialized higher technical education may be appointed to management positions and positions related to fire safety control.
3. **Financial guarantees:** Clause 11 establishes mandatory life and health insurance for employees of fire and rescue units, which is critical for the social protection of personnel working in high-hazard conditions.
4. **Prohibition of non-targeted use:** a clear prohibition on involving DFS employees in the performance of tasks not provided for by these Regulations is enshrined, which ensures the concentration of resources exclusively on fire safety.
