A Device Called 'Kraken' Has Been Built by Rescuers to Combat Oil Fires

New Firefighting Technologies Emerge in the Poltava Region

According to Главком: A major step forward in firefighting technology has been made by emergency crews in Ukraine’s Poltava region. They have developed and patented new equipment built from repurposed older machinery. Major General Andriy Khizhnyak, head of the State Emergency Service (DSNS) in Poltava, shared insights into these innovations, their application at oil and gas facilities, and the growing interest from international partners.

Key Innovations and What Makes Them Unique

At the heart of this new approach is a specialized foaming agent that generates a foam blanket, effectively cutting off the fire’s oxygen supply. As Khizhnyak explained,

“We have a substance-a foaming agent-that creates a foam cushion, which helps restrict oxygen access to the combustion zone.”

This solution is especially critical for extinguishing blazes in the oil and gas industry, where various suppression methods are needed.

One standout invention is the 'Kraken' device, which merges two older models into a single, more effective tool for fighting fires.

“Our development-the 'Kraken' device-combines two older models that assist us in fire suppression, and we are using it widely,”

Khizhnyak emphasized. The Kraken comes in two versions: a manual model and a remote-controlled one.

• Manual Kraken - A compact unit that firefighters operate directly on the front lines.
• Remote Kraken - A larger model mounted on wheeled vehicles and controlled from a distance to keep personnel safe.

Thanks to these advancements, Ukraine’s DSNS can now extinguish fires at oil and gas sites within a day or even a few hours. By contrast, similar incidents in the Russian Federation often take five to seven days to bring under control.

Khizhnyak also noted that 'we are patenting our inventions and sharing our expertise with colleagues across Ukraine. Foreign partners are also very interested in our methods.' This highlights the global relevance of the innovations coming from Ukrainian rescuers, who are gaining international recognition and support for their work.

Developments like the Kraken equipment and other novel firefighting techniques underscore the growing innovation and adaptability of Ukraine’s emergency services in the face of modern challenges. With elevated fire risks at oil and gas facilities, these solutions can significantly improve response effectiveness. The international interest in DSNS technologies shows that Ukraine is not only implementing new solutions but also sharing its know-how with other nations, which could strengthen global cooperation in safety and civil protection.

These advancements in firefighting technology not only highlight Ukraine's innovative approach but also demonstrate a stark contrast to the response times seen in neighboring regions. For a deeper understanding of how Ukraine's emergency services manage to extinguish oil and gas fires significantly faster than their counterparts in Russia, explore this insightful article on the efficiency of Ukraine's emergency response.