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- Русский
Climate change is a phenomenon now visible to all of us with noticeable impacts, especially in terms of increasing the frequency and intensity of fires, as well as the extent of burnt areas.
The cost of the fires that have occurred in recent years in our country has been enormous, even costing human lives, while the losses have been incalculable for the environment, agricultural activities, the economy and the lives of all of us.
Therefore, the strengthening of the fire protection sector and timely operational planning during this year's fire season is of paramount importance.
The Government of Nikos Christodoulides has placed high on its priorities the continuous evaluation and enhancement of the effectiveness of the entire system of prevention, response and suppression of fires in the country, both through the strengthening and upgrading of the logistical infrastructure and through the introduction of technological systems and means of surveillance, detection and early detection of forest and forest fires.
On the occasion of the deadly fire of Arakapa in the summer of 2021, it was decided, following a study, to introduce and install a holistic surveillance system using modern technologies, with the ultimate goal of both prevention and response to forest and urban fires and other disasters.
The first phase of this holistic program, with a total cost of 2 million. 490 thousand euros, has already been completed and today we have the opportunity to observe one of the two state-of-the-art Forward Operating Centres of the Fire Service, as well as the operation of the real-time image transmission network from the fire field, through the new forest fire surveillance and detection systems that have been installed as well as the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) and other surveillance systems available to the Fire Service and the Forestry Department.
The implementation of the above project will enhance the degree of surveillance of the territorial area of the Republic and in combination with the existing means, namely the drones available to the Fire Service, the National Guard, the cameras already installed and connected to the ZION Coordination Centre, will ensure a satisfactory degree of prevention and suppression of fires, since detection and response will take place in a very short time, a time which undoubtedly contributes to the timely management of a fire from the very initial stage of its outbreak.
Particular emphasis has also been placed on the operational sector and all those actions and preparations required so that all fire-fighting services and forces are fully prepared and ready for the fire season.
By way of indication, since May 1, all Fire Stations in the countryside and the observation posts of the Fire Service nationwide have been staffed with appropriate personnel, a patrol programme has been drawn up in cooperation with all relevant services, with both seasonal and aerial means for surveillance of all agroforestry areas, while also since May 1, the "Zenon" Coordination Centre is staffed with personnel from the Fire Service and the Forestry Department.
At the same time, the telephone lines 1407, staffed by the Forestry Department, as well as 112 and 199, staffed by the Police, are fully operational. The lines operate around the clock and calls are forwarded immediately, so that there is no delay in responding to a fire.
Ladies and gentlemen,
The effort of the Ministry of Justice and Public Order and the Government in general to upgrade and further strengthen the fire-fighting infrastructure is continuous, as is the effort to strengthen the human resources of the Fire Service. We are already at the stage of filling vacancies, which amount to 260, as well as the final stage for the selection of volunteer firefighters, an action which has been institutionalized with the recent adoption of the relevant Law, which defines, among other things, the criteria for obtaining the status of volunteer firefighter.
The close cooperation that has been built in recent years between the relevant services, particularly through the work of the permanent interdepartmental committee chaired by the Director of the Forestry Department, has been instrumental in defining the necessary policies and measures to prevent fires and in clarifying their responsibilities in the event of an incident, in a way that enhances the degree of response and effectiveness in the management of a fire.
In this context, the exercise "Pyrsos 2023" is also taking place today, which gives a good opportunity to test the degree of preparedness of all relevant Services in fire conditions, although, unfortunately, this has already been done in real conditions in the big fire that broke out last week in the Larnaca Mountains between the communities of Choirokoitia, Vavla and Tochni. A difficult fire, which due to the peculiarity of the terrain and strong winds blowing in the area with constant changes in their direction, made the task of firefighting difficult. However, the immediate response of all Services, and the excellent operational coordination and synchronization of all the Departments and Services involved were catalytic in bringing the fire under full management and control in a short time.
As in previous exercises, today's exercise also included the participation of other states, such as the two Jordanian helicopters and their crews, as well as observers from Slovenia, which demonstrates how important it is to establish transnational cooperation in fighting large fires. I would be remiss if I did not mention specifically the assistance of the ground and, in particular, the air assets of the British Bases in Cyprus in suppressing the fires. Particularly during last year's period, the prompt response of British Base aviation assets was crucial in the immediate and timely control and management of the fire incidents that occurred.
In conclusion, I wish good luck to the exercise and to all participants and at the same time I express the hope and expectation that the human factor will not be the main source of fires again this year, which unfortunately has been confirmed so far in both cases of fires that have occurred so far.
(MB/SX)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
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