EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: 1ST FIRE

UNCLAS MOSCOW 003746 SIPDIS SIPDIS USDOC FOR 532/OEA/MHAMES/LRITTER USDOC FOR 3150/USFCS/OIO/CEENIS/MCOSTA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BEXP ETRD ETTC RS SUBJECT: EXTRANCHECK: PRE-LICENSE CHECK: 1ST FIRE BRIGADE, KRASNOYARSK, RUSSIA, D376657 REFTEL: USDOC 05781 ¶1. Unauthorized disclosure of the information provided below is prohibited by Section 12C of the Export Administration Act. ¶2. Reftel requested a Pre-license check to determine the legitimacy and reliability of the end-user, 1st Fire Brigade, Krasnoyarsk, Russia. The company is listed on BIS license application D376657 as the ultimate consignee of a thermal imaging camera, MSA Evolution 6200 photon vanadium oxide microbolometer thermal imaging camera. This item is controlled for national security and nuclear non-proliferation reasons under ECCN 6A003. The licensee is Mine Safety Appliances Company, 121 Gamma Drive, RIDC Industrial Park, Pittsburgh PA 15238. ¶3. On July 25, 2007, Export Control Attache Donald Pearce and FSN Natalya Shipitsina conducted a pre- license check at the offices of 1st Fire Brigade, 59 Lenin St., Krasnoyarsk, Russia. The export control team met with Chief Oleg Romanov, Deputy Chief Vladimir Martyshkin, and Cadre Officer Sergey Dolzhenkov. ¶4. The Brigade was founded in 1911, and is the oldest fire station in Krasnoyarsk. The brigade is part of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (acronym EMERCOM) and is the primary fire suppression and rescue service for the 70,000 residents of the city of Krasnoyarsk. The brigade employs 70 firefighters and support staff. In the past 100 years the brigade has only had three firefighters killed in the line of duty, a record attributed to the high level of training and emphasis on safety that the brigade has always maintained. The company averages 2-5 calls for service a day, with significantly more calls during the winter months. In the past six months, the brigade has responded to 70 working fires. ¶5. The camera in reftel will be used in search and rescue operations during working fires. Most fires in the district occur in the basements of old, wooden buildings, a significant hazard in evacuation of victims and search operations. The camera can also be utilized in overhaul operations to ensure that no hot spots or fires within walls were missed. In addition, the camera is suitable for the investigation of suspicious fires, aiding in the identification of the seat of the fire as well as to find and document evidence. NOTE: A second camera was ordered as well for the use of the Sovietsky District Fire Training Laboratory, which is the regional training center and fire investigation laboratory for the city of Krasnoyarsk and surrounding towns. The primary use of this camera will be the investigation of fires, and in fire training operations. END NOTE. ¶6. 50 firefighters will be trained in the use of the camera. All firefighters participate in a continuing education program. Training is conducted at the beginning of every shift, and equipment is inventoried and checked daily. The Commandant's office will be responsible for the camera, and will ensure the security of the camera. The station is manned 24 hours a day. The camera will be stored with other valuable equipment in a locked cabinet in the commandant's office, adjacent to the apparatus floor. The office is locked when not occupied, and is protected with an electronic security system. ¶7. Recommendations: Post recommends 1st Fire Brigade, Krasnoyarsk, Russia, as a reliable recipient of sensitive U.S. origin commodities. It is requested that post be notified of final disposition of the application, and of any shipments for this organization in order to conduct appropriate FCS follow-up and statistical reporting. (FCS MOSCOW/SBOZEK/DPEARCE) BURNS