Address by Irek Kadamov, Head of the MD of Russia EMERCOM of the Republic of Tatarstan, on the Day of Participants in the elimination of the consequences of radiation accidents and disasters and in memory of the victims of these accidents and disasters
April 26, 1986 is the date that changed the history of nuclear energy forever. 40 years ago, a catastrophe occurred, which became the hardest test for the whole country. The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is a lesson that showed the price of human error and dedication. Today, four decades later, we clearly understand that the main result of those events is the unparalleled courage of people who stood in the way of an invisible threat.
Firefighters, military personnel, engineers, doctors — all those who took the brunt of the atomic disaster, risking their lives. Many of them were our countrymen. 3907 residents of Tatarstan followed the call of duty and their hearts to save the world from radioactive contamination and protected millions of people at the cost of their health.
For 40 years, we have learned the main lesson of Chernobyl: there can be no trifles in matters of radiation and technosphere safety. The Main Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations in the Republic of Tatarstan, in cooperation with other departments, is doing everything possible to prevent this from happening again. We are improving the monitoring system and preparing specialists to act in any conditions. One of the key institutions involved in the rehabilitation of victims of radiation is the Republican Center of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Tatarstan named after S.S. Karatai. During his work, thousands of Chernobyl victims underwent a course of high-quality medical and psychological rehabilitation.
The memory of Chernobyl is also our duty to future generations. We must tell the youth the truth about those events. Not as a scary story, but as a story about true courage and as a reminder of the fragility of the world we live in.
Eternal memory to those who did not live to see this date! Good health and longevity to all who passed through the crucible of Chernobyl.
With deep respect,
Head of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia in the Republic of Tatarstan
I.I. Kadamov