Former Estonian Rescue Board chief Kalev Timberg dies

Former director general of Estonia’s Rescue Board Kalev Timberg died on Tuesday, ERR reported.

Timberg began his work in national security in the field of civil defence. He led the civil defence headquarters and in 1986 was appointed to lead rescue operations following the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster.

Drawing on his knowledge and experience, Timberg helped establish Estonia’s crisis management system after the country regained independence. When Russia’s war in Ukraine began in 2014, he contributed advice to the development of modern civil defence.

In 1991, Timberg helped create the concept of a unified Estonian rescue service, which set the strategic direction for the sector. He served as deputy director general of the Rescue Board from 1992 to 2000, then became deputy secretary general for internal security at the Ministry of the Interior, a position he held until 2006. His responsibilities included rescue services, crisis management, law enforcement and security.

Timberg was director general of the Rescue Board from 2006 to 2013. His life’s work included building the modern Rescue Board, including merging regional rescue centres into a single institution. Under his leadership, the Ministry of the Interior’s internal security fields, the Emergency Response Centre and bomb disposal services were also developed.

Rescue Board Director General Margo Klaos described Timberg as a lifelong rescue officer.

“He was one of the great rescue leaders who, after Estonia regained independence, set the course for the development of a modern rescue service and implemented it as a leader,” Klaos said. “His contribution to the formation of today’s Rescue Board was enormous. Kalev was a leading figure in civil defence who made a major contribution to the development of modern crisis management and civil defence through his leadership and advice.”

Ministry of the Interior Deputy Secretary General Tuuli Räim said working alongside Timberg had been like a school for life. She said he had carried out his work with dedication, professionalism and heart, and that she would greatly miss their discussions and his advice on developing civil defence and rescue services as part of national defence.

Timberg received several high state decorations for his dedicated service, including the second and third class Orders of the Estonian Red Cross, the Rescue Service Grand Cross of Merit and Cross of Merit, the second class Police Service Cross, the third class Border Guard decoration, the Ministry of the Interior Silver Service Medal, the Defence League Medal for Special Merit and the General Staff of the Defence Forces Service Cross.