Russia's State Duma on October 15 approved in its first reading a bill that would allow military units of the Federal Fire Service to be staffed with conscript soldiers.
The bill would also expand the duties of those units. They could be used for fire prevention and firefighting in populated areas and at organizations, as well as for emergency rescue operations.
At present, military units of the Federal Fire Service primarily operate in closed administrative-territorial entities, federal territories and at particularly important or restricted facilities.
The bill's authors cite staffing shortages within the fire service as the reason for the proposal. They argue that personnel shortages can lead to larger fires, greater damage and more casualties.
Emergency Situations Minister Alexander Kurenkov previously said his ministry was discussing with the Defense Ministry the annual assignment of up to 5,000 conscripts to firefighting units.
The bill has not yet been finally adopted. After its first reading, it must pass two additional readings in the State Duma.