The Forestry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, informs the public that within the framework of the Forest Protection Week 2022, the Wide Scale Field Exercise called "HEFAISTOS 2022" will take place next Friday, May 27, 2022, in Kapedes, in the area "Poularos". The exercise will take place between the hours of 11:00-12:00. Therefore, there is absolutely no reason for the public to be concerned.
The purpose of the exercise "HEFAISTOS 2022" is to evaluate the effectiveness of the entire forest firefighting system which includes all the forces involved, both air and ground.
Speakers will be the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Dr. Kostas Kadis and the Director of the Forestry Department Mr. Charalambos Alexandrou. A short address will be given by Elli Ioannidou, Director of Corporate Responsibility of the Bank of Cyprus.
The Ambassador of Jordan, the Commissioner for the Environment, the Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, as well as representatives of the United Nations, the British Bases, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order, the Ministry of Defence, the Fire Service, the Police, the National Fire Brigade, the National Police, the Ministry of Defence and the National Police will attend the exercise, Civil Defence, Game and Wildlife Service, Civil Aviation, Provincial Administrations and Departments of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.
The scenario of the exercise foresees the occurrence of a forest fire in the area of the Machaira National Forest Park, near the community of Kapedos, which rages out of control and develops into a "CRISIS".
The Special National Plan "EFAISTOS" is applied.
The Special National Plan "EFAISTOS" is applied. To extinguish the fire, forces from the Forestry Department, Fire Service, Police, Nicosia District Administration, Game and Fauna Service, Civil Defence, National Guard are involved, the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre, the Ambulance Service, the Department of Meteorology, the British Bases, the Cyprus Institute, the ETEA volunteer team, and a team from the Bank of Cyprus SupportCY volunteer corps.
Plan "IKAROS 2" is being implemented concerning flight operations, with the involvement of all air assets available to the Republic of Cyprus, flying assets from the British Bases. The aerial fire-fighting operations are also supported by means from Israel, while personnel from Jordan will also be in the National Guard's coordinating helicopter.
(MB/EXP)
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