site.btaParliament Passes Conclusively Amendments to Interior Ministry Act

Sofia, November 23 (BTA) - Parliament on Thursday adopted conclusively amendments to the Interior Ministry Act.

MPs extended by a year a deadline by which the government should adopt a decision on redirecting calls from 150,160 and 116 services to the 112 single emergency service.

The amendments introduce the term eCall for an automatic emergency call from a vehicle in a collision to a 112 dispatch.

Voluntary formations for disasters and breakdown response will be able to associate to solve common issues and achieve goals of mutual interest. The Interior Ministry will provide the National Volunteer Association with premises for free in order to implement its activities.

Firefighters will work in crews of three. In settlements with less than 5,000 population crews will consist of two members.

The Interior Ministry will conclude new contracts for fire protection and rescue activities at the Kozloduy N-plant, Maritza East mines, Maritza East 2 thermal power plant and premises of the Bulgarian National Bank. The existing contracts will remain in effect until December 31 2017.

MP Krassimir Yankov of BSP for Bulgaria said these amendments perpetuate a practice to use the Interior Ministry as a commercial business. He said that this practice which allows theInterior Ministry to contract additional funding is destructive.

GERB floor leader Tsvetan Tsvetanov said that these contractual relations will allow for 70 firefighters to fill vacancies and allow for two-member crews in settlements with less than 5,000 population.

The adopted changes amended the Road Traffic Act as well.

The Interior Ministry and the Automobile Administration Authority Executive Agency will exchange data about MOT tests of vehicles in order to suspend road unworthy vehicles.