IAC took part in the first international rescue competition "VKO-Profi Global"

Vnukovo International Airport hosts the VKO-Profi professional skills competition annually. This year, on August 12, the Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS) personnel competed.

Rescue teams from Vnukovo International Airport (host), Sheremetyevo International Airport, Domodedovo International Airport, Minsk National Airport (Republic of Belarus), the Leader Center for High Risk Rescue Operations (EMERCOM of Russia), Kaluga International Airport, Northern Capital Gateway (Pulkovo Airport, St. Petersburg), and Sochi International Airport submitted teams to participate in the competition.

Oleg Storchevoy, Chairman of the Interstate Aviation Committee, was the guest of honor. Opening the competition, he noted: "The Interstate Aviation Committee unites many countries. I am glad that our colleagues from Belarus are participating today. I hope we will continue to expand the presence of diverse teams. "The most important thing isn't winning, but the opportunity to demonstrate your skills. Good luck to everyone!" The Chairman of the Interstate Aviation Committee also noted that he always gladly accepts the invitation to come to Vnukovo: "I have a lot of ties to this airport: it was here that I began my flying career as a pilot of the Rossiya Special Flight Squadron. Therefore, it is especially valuable to observe today the actions of specialists who are ready to provide assistance at any moment and at short notice."

The participants had to demonstrate their physical fitness, combat deployment skills, and rapid response to emergency situations, speed work with specialized tools (hydraulic shears), firefighting, and evacuation of simulated victims from a danger zone. Following the intense competition, the prize places were distributed as follows:

1st place – Sochi International Airport;

2nd place – Sheremetyevo International Airport;

3rd place – Minsk National Airport (Republic of Belarus).

The individual standings were also announced. Alexey Kravchenko and Pavel Kuznetsov (both from Sochi Airport, third and second place, respectively) performed best, as did Nikita Volkov from Sheremetyevo Airport, who scored the highest number of points. The winners were awarded medals and corporate merchandise.

The Vnukovo Airport team, which served as the host, demonstrated the high level of training achieved over years of working at one of the country's largest air transport complexes.

Dmitry Erzakovich, General Director of Vnukovo International Airport, emphasized: "Sharing practice is a crucial part of this competition! After all, passenger and aviation safety is a priority for the aviation industry. Rescue and Fire Fighting Services are on duty every day and are ready to arrive at the accident site within minutes. This is a highly responsible job, requiring dedication and maximum attention. An emergency can occur at any moment, even on a seemingly calm day. That's why the Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS) is staffed by true professionals. Our skills competition is called VKO Profi."

Participation in the VKO-Profi Global competition allowed IAC specialists to share practice with other specialists and learn about the latest technologies and work methods—all of which directly impacts the enhancement of safety level in civil aviation.

The Interstate Aviation Committee intends to continue participating in such professional competitions, as they play a key role in enhancing aviation safety systems.

Photo courtesy of the Vnukovo International Airport press service.