Duty: Tchernobyl Fire & Rescue Service

Archive entry: FL001

Faction: ITZIF Fire and Rescue Service contractors

Status: Active

Area of application: ITZIF private sub-contractor specializing in fire prevention, fire termination, emergency first aid, rescue operation inside Exclusion Zone, aid to sub-contractors in case of emergency events, radiation monitoring and control, radioactive and other hazardous material containment.

Registered entity: Tchernobyl Fire & Rescue LTD, Kiev, Ukraine.

License Registration number: [REDACTED]

Operational status: active since 14/03/2025

When first Tchernobyl disaster has happened, it was firefighter who were first to respond. They fought raging nuclear fire with little protection or thoughts about their own lives. They knew that with their every second, with every effort counted if humanity had any hopes of extinguishing the flames of disaster. To commemorate their bravery a monument in inside the first Exclusion Zone has been erected, both to commemorate and hope that similar tragedy would not occur again.

Unfortunately, on 2^nd of October 2019 disaster has struck again. In the beginning it was believed to be meteor strike that ignited the forests around Pripyat and Tchernobyl, However after several hundreds of square miles of forest fires, raised radioactivity levels in both air, water and ground around as well as electromagnetic interference of unknown origins it was clear that it was something more than just meteor.

The crisis and its effects became global concern, and despite protest from current government in Kiev, US, Russia, China and Germany has sent its troops and rescue specialist to stop the spread of effects of another disaster. Initial joint commission was organized under the banner of United Nations and was called United Nations Force for Tchernobyl Zone Isolation. During its short operational span, this intergovernmental body was transformed into ITZIF: International Tchernobyl Zone Isolation Force, with strong emphasis on private ventures operating under contracts from ITZIF.

One of the first private security firms to win and maintain contract was new company, called Tchernobyl Fire and Rescue Services LTD (TRFS Ltd). Comprised with former firefighters of Tchernobyl, equipped with mostly obsolete Russian firefighting vehicles and with substantial financial support from several benefactors outside of Ukraine, this company provided the best cost/efficiency offer to the crisis. Currently TRFS remains integral part of international efforts in preventing most dangerous effect of Exclusion Zone from spreading. They have permanent bases in 6 out of 12 major bases of Exclusion Zone Perimeter, and operate several outposts inside of the Zone.

Their main operations include fire-fighting both inside and outside Exclusion Zone, fire safety of Security forces, prevention works and forest monitoring. Today their ranks include one of the most skilled firefighter in the world with outstanding training base, equipment and experience. All TRFS operators have licence for firearms and allowed concealed carry inside Perimeter.

Majority of firefighters still come from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. Company has adopted a insignia with motto: “Honour, Duty, Victory!” (Честь, Долг, Победа!) which signifies its unique a very high esprit-de corps. Contractors work in a very close-nit teams, facing both daily training and dangerous assignments as one cohesive unit. Majority of units are male only, on a basis that female operators are rare and commonly delegated to support roles in the company. In its over 20 years of service with UTZIF many members of TRFS have been awarded for performing beyond the call of duty, sometimes posthumously. It also must be noted the very high percentage of operators that claim to be part of Christian Church (Russian Orthodox Church in particular).

Equipment:

Most commons set of fire-fighting equipment consists of:

Light helmet with flash light, gas mask with oxygen tank and supply for 2,5 hours, multi layered robe with high-visibility stripes, light kevlar inserts and fire resistance layer, axe, heavy protected gloves, fire resistant pants, heavy boots, climbing set, personal medical kit, 9 mm pistol with at least two magazines, assorted tools, fire extinguisher of mission depending type (water, powder, CO2), filtered water canteen of 1 litre capacity.

Vehicles:

TRFS using several types of ground vehicles for its needs. Most common type is a 4x4 pick-up truck adopted as general purpose vehicle for transporting cargo and people outside of danger zones. The also used as first aid response trucks.

Jeeps, are common name for former military vehicles such as HMMWV or GAZ-2330 “Tiger”. They provide increased personnel protection from various NBC factors present in the Exclusion Zone.

Specialised fire-fighting trucks based on 6x6 and 4x6 vehicles are assigned to every outpost of TRFS, and are core of fleet. There several different types in services, but all are capable to carry several tonnes of water, water cannon, water pump and may use chemicals during fire-fighting.

Heavy engineering vehicles, boats and helicopters are commonly used under agreement with other sub-contractors of ITZIF.