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It is with great pleasure that I am here today and put under my auspices the organization of three-day workshops focusing on Landscape Resilience and Fire Management.
Today's theme of the workshop "Integrated Fire Management", developed in the framework of the "SEMEDFIRE" project, in the presence of distinguished scientists, professionals and experts from Cyprus and abroad, highlights the necessity of studying and taking effective measures to address the difficult and complex problem of forest fires.
By protecting our forests from fires, we keep intact not only an important economic asset, but also the cultural elements, the creations of nature and man, which have evolved over the centuries. We are, dear ones, preserving our very existence on a planet that is constantly changing and facing ever-increasing threats.
Forest fires are one of the most serious natural disasters of essential security. According to the "2018 National Risk Assessment of the Republic of Cyprus", forest fires present the highest level of risk, compared to other phenomena such as earthquakes, coastal erosion or floods. The increasing frequency and extent of fires, which is worsening mainly due to the effects of climate change and abandonment of the countryside, indicates that we should not be complacent.
Climate change, which is occurring all over the planet, is also having a strong impact on our country, making fires more frequent and widespread than ever before. Drought, high temperatures and strong winds are intensifying this trend, which must be countered with feasible and effective practices. Practices based on scientific knowledge and the development of research and technology, which should reach forestry practice and be implemented.
As a Government we focus on a coordinated and integrated approach, promoting the creation of an effective roadmap for fire prevention and protection. In this context, I am in close communication and coordination with all my fellow Ministers, their departments and agencies, with a view to taking additional measures where needed.
As the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, promoting research, information and developing open dialogue on issues related to forests and the natural environment are our key tools.
As of this month, our Ministry's Forestry Department has put its forces into full swing, starting the fire alert period one month earlier than the established schedule, i.e. April 1 instead of May 1. This practically means readiness of ground forces and increased capacity to respond to fires in light of the changes in climate data brought about by climate change.
With our three-pronged approach of prevention, preparedness and suppression, we aim to strengthen the integrated forest fire management system. At this stage, the Forestry Department is in the process of planning the integration of new technologies that will assist in further surveillance of forest areas and detection of fires, as well as the transmission of real live images to the Operations Centres.
At the same time, we are proceeding with the implementation of the vegetation management study aimed at enhancing fire protection of forests and forest communities.
It is worth mentioning that the Forestry Department, both in terms of training in preventive preparedness management and equipment, is now more prepared than ever before, compared to previous years, and this in order to be able to respond to the increased challenges that lie ahead.
Referring specifically to equipment, I would like to say that thanks to the efforts of our Ministry, which have borne fruit, the Forestry Department has already taken delivery of five fire trucks, with the delivery of five more imminent this year, as well as the gradual delivery of 32 more by 2026. The delivery of 75 personnel carriers has also been completed."
Eight crawler earth movers, four excavators, nine farm tractors and six branch chippers have also enriched the Department's operational fleet. In addition, the installation of a fire-fighting material supply system has been completed on the Forestry Department's flight vehicles at Paphos Airport. The process for the procurement of three firefighting aircraft, six tankers and four earth mover platforms by 2026 has also been rolled out.
Part of the equipment I have mentioned is part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, intervention "Protection of forests from fires", which provides for the strengthening of the Forestry Department in machinery and firefighting equipment, totalling €25.7 million, In addition to the above, in a recent broad meeting under the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nicos Christodoulides, on the subject of fire and natural phenomena response, measures for fire prevention and response, as well as operational preparedness for civil protection were decided.
In addition to the above, measures for fire prevention and response, as well as operational preparedness for civil protection were decided at a recent broad meeting under the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Nicos Christodoulides. As already announced, the upgrading of the Civil Defence to a Civil Protection Service, the integration of a forest fire-fighting aviation unit into the National Guard, the reopening of the Forestry College, the submission of amendment bills concerning the tightening of penalties, the submission of a proposal for the utilisation, training and insurance of volunteers, as well as the gradual acquisition by the state of ten fire-fighting aviation units in the coming years.
In conclusion, I would like to thank all those present and congratulate the organisers for this successful scientific meeting. I wish good luck in the work of the workshop and the extraction of results that will make a constructive contribution to forest fire management. Finally, I wish the distinguished scientists, who have come from abroad, a pleasant stay in Cyprus. Theodolos M. Makriyannis.
(EFYs/NGian/MS)
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Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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