President Klaus Iohannis decorated, on the occasion of Civil Protection Day, the servicemen, firefighters, doctors, nurses and volunteers who participated in the international humanitarian mission in Turkey, according to Agerpres.

„You, those present here today, are the ones who mobilized in an exemplary manner and, without hesitation, went to aid the Turkish people, to contribute to one of the noblest missions – saving human lives. The task you had wasn’t easy at all. You put your own lives in danger, working endlessly and against the clock, with the hope in your heart that under the rubble you will find survivors, a heart that still beats or a voice that will answer you. The results of your mission are priceless and, for this, you have all our consideration. At the same time, I am glad that the whole team returned home safely and well,” the head of state said at the Cotroceni Palace, at the decoration ceremony of the Romanian rescuers.

„You are true models of solidarity, altruism and empathy and, therefore, I convey to you, on behalf of all Romanians, our full appreciation and respect for your courage and devotion shown in every activity you participate in, as well as for all the support you provide citizens in the most difficult moments. Romanians feel safe because you are close to them,” added the president.

Iohannis emphasized that civil protection represents an important component of national security, and in the last decade the Romanian state has made significant efforts to acquire modern equipment and ensure the highest standards of training for those who work in this field.

„The results were adequate, the professionalism of the Romanian rescuers being recognized and appreciated, including on the international level, when they were involved in the support of other affected states,” mentioned Iohannis.

„The operations we carried out in the area assigned to us by the civil protection authorities in Turkey, under whose coordination we were permanently together with the other teams present in the area, were particularly difficult, challenging us always to find the most suitable solutions to save those who needed it,” said colonel Bogdan Constantin Vladutoiu, the commander of the first specialized search-rescue module that participated in the mission in Turkey.

The battle flags of the „Dealul Spirii” Bucharest-Ilfov Emergency Situations Inspectorate and the General Emergency Situations Inspectorate were also decorated at the ceremony. Also, President Iohannis awarded the battle flag to the Special Emergency Intervention Unit. On this occasion, a religious ceremony took place.

Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca, Interior Minister Lucian Bode and Emergencies Department head Raed Arafat were among those who attended the ceremony.

The dogs that accompanied the rescuers in their missions were also brought to the ceremony.

Agerpres