Compensation Structure in Ukraine's State Emergency Service
Compensation for personnel in Ukraine's State Emergency Service (SES) includes several components based on rank, position, years of service, and the number of days spent responding to emergencies. Major General Andriy Khizhnyak, head of the SES Main Directorate in the Poltava region, emphasized that financial support for staff is a critical part of their operations.
The standard minimum salary for rescuers starts at 17,000 hryvnias. Under martial law, each rescuer also receives an additional 10,000 hryvnias per month. For each deployment to fight fires or handle other emergency incidents, workers receive 700 hryvnias per day. So, if a rescuer is deployed for 12 days in a month, they can earn an extra 8,400 hryvnias. Total monthly payments can exceed 35,000 hryvnias.
Additional Compensation for Rescuers
Units operating in combat zones receive an additional 100,000 hryvnias per month. For rescuers on the front line, the daily bonus is calculated at 3,300 hryvnias. For example, working 10 days near the front line yields an extra 33,000 hryvnias, while the remaining 20 days of the month bring a proportional amount exceeding 6,600 hryvnias.
Khizhnyak also addressed plans to raise pay to the level of the National Police. The expected base rate for rescuers should start at 33,280 hryvnias, equivalent to 10 times the subsistence minimum. He stated:
I hope the government and lawmakers will soon adopt the necessary decisions. Rescuers deserve decent financial support. - Andriy Khizhnyak
A key part of the compensation system is the payment to the family of a fallen rescuer, which amounts to 750 times the subsistence minimum, or roughly 2.5 million hryvnias. The state guarantees free medical treatment, rehabilitation, and preservation of benefits in case of injury.
The service also actively extinguishes fires at oil and gas facilities, often completing the task within a day or just a few hours. In contrast, similar blazes in Russia may remain unextinguished for 5-7 days. This speed and efficiency highlight the critical role of rescuers during wartime.
The proposed salary increase for Ukrainian rescuers reflects the growing need to recognize their vital role during war and emergencies. Raising the base rate to match the National Police, along with extra bonuses for combat zone work, could help attract new recruits and boost morale among current SES personnel. It also underscores the importance of supporting those who risk their lives for others' safety.
In light of the proposed salary increases, it's essential to understand the broader context of financial support for emergency workers in Ukraine. This adjustment aims not only to align rescuers' pay with that of the National Police but also to ensure that those who risk their lives in service receive the recognition and compensation they deserve.