Cyprus is in consultations with Jordan in order to secure fire-fighting equipment in view of the difficulties that exist this year in renting them, especially from Russia. Details are expected to be announced in the coming days.
"The aim is to make the best possible preparation for the upcoming high-risk summer season" as the President of the Republic stressed last night after a meeting he chaired to strengthen the framework for fire prevention and suppression. Certainly, everyone is averse to images similar to those of last year, when the deadly firestorm hit mountainous areas of the Limassol and Larnaca districts.
According to what was discussed at the meeting attended by the relevant ministers, departments and stakeholders, the Republic of Cyprus will have ten aircraft at its disposal this year to extinguish fires.
In a statement after the meeting, the Government Spokesman, Marios Pelekanos, said that during the meeting the progress of the implementation of the measures decided upon was assessed, while the degree of preparedness of the services and the needs that exist were put on the agenda.
More specifically discussed, among others, issues such as the sufficiency of flight means, the use of technology, the coordination framework of the competent Services, the adequate staffing of the competent Services, the adequacy of fire protection works and fire zones, the upgrading of rural fire stations, the utilization of Local Authorities, the establishment of the register for the purpose of commandeering specialized vehicles in cases of emergency and the management of volunteers.
With regard to flying assets, Pelecanos said, the Ministry of Agriculture has undertaken the necessary procedures, so that within May there will be a sufficiency of flying assets.
In addition, information indicates that the establishment and operation of a central coordinating body for coordination between the relevant services on the issue of fires has been advanced
[/B]Also, the needs for staffing of services such as the Forestry Department, the Fire Service and the Rapid Intervention Firefighting Team are being met.
Other issues being promoted are the patrol programme to cover the areas that need to be covered, the use of technological means to be able to detect fires in time and the timely implementation of fire protection projects.
In addition, a wireless communication system has been installed, rural fire stations have been upgraded and a register of fire-fighting vehicles has been set up.
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