A simulated fire, evacuation, and rescue of casualties – all these allowed the employees of Lepel district to practice actions for eliminating emergencies typical for the autumn-winter period.

Exercises were held in Lepel, during which rescuers, together with the emergency crew of the power supply network and other services, practiced actions to eliminate emergencies on the territory of the city boiler house.

According to the scenario, as a result of cyclone "AURUS" passing through the territory of Lepel district (strong gusty wind reached speeds of 30 m/s, heavy precipitation in the form of wet snow turning into freezing rain), the "Tsentralnaya" boiler house on Ulyanka Street was put out of operation, followed by a fire in the 1st steam boiler and the cogeneration unit. All this caused the disconnection of apartment buildings on M. Gorky, Chuikov, Gagarin, Kalinin, Sovetskaya, Voykova, Internatsionalnaya, Shkolnaya, Partizanskaya, and Minskaya streets from heat supply.

In total, 96 apartment buildings were disconnected from heat supply. There is no power supply at the boiler house. The restoration of power supply to the boiler house is not expected earlier than 4 days. During the same period, a sharp cold snap occurred. The air temperature during these 4 days reached –30°C. There are preliminary casualties among the boiler house employees.

This facility was not chosen by chance. The city boiler house is the source of heat for all residents of the city, and any emergency situation occurring here can affect people's living conditions.

Employees of the Lepel Department for Emergency Situations, the Lepel Gas Supply Department of the ChashnikiGaz Production Department branch, the Lepel Electricity Network Department, the Vitebsk Regional Ambulance Service Center (Lepel Central District Hospital), the Lepel Electrical Communication Section of the Glubokoye Zonal Electrical Communication Node of the Vitebsk Branch of the Vitebsk Branch of the Republican Unitary Enterprise of Electrical Communication "Beltelecom", the Lepel District Department of Internal Affairs, and the "ATP-14" branch took part in the exercises.

Employees of the gas supply department promptly dispatched an emergency crew to the emergency site to eliminate the consequences, the electricity network department carried out restoration work and provided assistance in connecting the facility to a mobile power source. Medics provided assistance to the victims and transported them to a medical facility. Employees of the power grid node ensured communication at the emergency site, employees of the Department of Internal Affairs

conducted cordoning off the area and traffic management. Other services also responded promptly and professionally.

As a result of coordinated actions, rescuers managed to extinguish the simulated fire and timely evacuate the "victims", as well as promptly restore the operation of the boiler house.

During the exercises, the interaction algorithms between services, personnel evacuation, containment of the simulated fire, and first aid provision were practiced.

As noted by the event organizers, the drills at this strategically important facility are particularly relevant. They allow for practicing actions in the event of a man-made disaster, where every minute is critical for saving lives and preventing extensive damage. Such events not only enhance readiness for potential emergencies but also strengthen the safety culture in production, ensuring the protection of employees' lives and health.