Chisinau Parking Chaos Hampering Emergency Response
Interventions by emergency responders in the courtyards of residential buildings in Chisinau have become increasingly difficult in recent years due to the growing number of cars parked haphazardly.
Because there is a lack of designated parking spaces, gaining access for special vehicles to these courtyards is often cumbersome, causing delays for firefighters who require valuable time to set up intervention equipment, particularly ladders, in the event of fires on the upper floors. Residents acknowledge the challenge and admit to parking their vehicles wherever they can find space, often on lawns, sidewalks, or even obstructing staircases. The municipality, however, has limited options and resorts to towing away illegally parked vehicles.
Similar issues plague the courtyards of newer apartment buildings. Here, the problem stems from access restrictions due to installed barriers. Emergency responders report losing valuable time waiting for access to these courtyards in emergency situations. While firefighters prioritise dispatching a driver to activate sirens, the rest of the team proceeds on foot directly to the scene. To compensate for the delayed access to firetrucks, they extend hose lines to a greater distance, reaching 120 metres instead of the usual 20 metres.
Overcrowded streets, particularly those in the historic city centre, further complicate emergency response efforts. The municipality acknowledges the challenges and, as an interim solution, focuses on towing away illegally parked vehicles from both streets and residential courtyards. Long-term plans involve collaborating with the traffic police to improve overall parking management, including designated parking spaces within courtyards and establishing clear regulations for access.
According to recent statistics, the Republic of Moldova currently has over 1.2 million registered vehicles. The highest concentration of cars is found in Chisinau and Balti.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
