It was with great pleasure that I responded to the invitation to address the Cyprus Lifesaving Examiners Seminar organized by the Cyprus Lifesaving Federation.
The provision of high quality services on the beaches, with the prevention and safety of the swimmers as a top priority, as well as the timely response to any incidents of danger, must be a top priority in a country that wants to respect its citizens and to be characterized as a tourist destination that welcomes millions of tourists every year.
It is for this reason that from the first day of taking office I personally ranked the service provided very high on my priorities.
It is for this reason that from the first day of taking office I personally prioritized the service provided very high on my priorities.
Recognizing the importance of the role of the lifeguard, but also the need to strengthen the safety system on our beaches, the Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (RSRC), implemented from 2018, the National Safety Plan for Organized Beaches "SALAMIS", aiming at the prevention and timely response to any risk incidents and upgrading lifeguard protection.
We recently evaluated the implementation of the National Plan "SALAMIS" and the evaluation revealed a number of problems faced by you, our lifeguards.
Lack of Service Plans defining the qualifications for the position of beach lifeguard, low Scale, lack of appropriate equipment, obsolete lifeguard towers.
With determination we proceeded immediately to take specific decisions and actions to address all the above problems, realizing the need to improve both the terms and conditions of your employment.
We have prepared and promoted a Service Plan for the position of Lifeguard, which provides for the upgrading of the scale from Cl. E5-E6 to Cl. E7-E8. The change in the pay scale has already been approved with effect from 1/04/2022 and the approval of the relevant Service Plan is expected very soon.
In addition, we have drafted a new Procedure for the Recruitment of Lifeguards, which has already been approved by the Council of Ministers through an amendment to the E.S.
And I would be remiss if I did not point out at this point the important role that the Cyprus Lifesaving Federation has to play in terms of obtaining additional qualifications from existing and new lifeguards, in order to channel new qualified personnel into the lifesaving system and to effectively address the shortages currently faced by the Provincial Administrations.
Also, the Ministry of Interior has proceeded, in cooperation with the Municipality of Larnaca, to the preparation of new uniform plans for lifeguard towers in order to gradually replace ALL the old towers on a nationwide scale and the construction of new ones on the basis of standard plans. Based on the new design, the new towers will be self-sufficient in terms of their electricity needs, will be powered by photovoltaic panels and will have all the necessary equipment. We have already received and distributed defibrillators, personal equipment and a number of jet skis as promised.
As a Ministry we have already awarded the bids, after a public tender, for the replacement of 27 old towers and the construction of 22 new towers nationwide. The project is in full swing under the responsibility of the Technical Services of the Ministry of Interior and the new towers are already being received in stages and will be fully ready by the summer.
Dear Friends,
Since it is my conviction that the usefulness of lifeguard coverage for bathers and society in general has been documented many times, I insist that we have managed to include all the Districts in the Salamis Project by correcting the distortion that existed with the non-participation of the Free Province of Famagusta until recently.
The successful and universal implementation of the National Plan "SALAMIS" is of particular importance for us, since for the first time, a unified and comprehensive Lifesaving Plan is being implemented, which provides millions of citizens, foreign and Cypriot, with a high level of lifesaving protection.
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the Cyprus Lifesaving Federation for its action, but also for the excellent training it provides over time to all of you, its members, the professional lifeguards.
You perform a vital service and with your offer you deservedly promote our small country in the eyes of locals and foreigners as a safe destination, with highly trained lifeguards on the basis of a comprehensive and well-designed protection plan.
Along with my congratulations, I wish you well in your workshop.
(EFYs/IK)
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Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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