The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Anita Demetriou, held a meeting today with a delegation of the Cyprus Firefighters Association.
During the meeting, which was entirely constructive, issues concerning the autonomy of the Cyprus Fire Service were discussed, as well as the need to adequately staff it in order to make it more flexible and to act promptly and effectively within the framework of its responsibilities. In particular, pointing primarily to the need to ensure the protection of the public, the delegation of the Association referred to the issues that hamper the work of the Cyprus Fire Service, causing consequent problems of staff safety and efficiency of operational procedures.
In this regard, it noted, inter alia, the need to carry out the required recruitment and promotion of personnel immediately, on the basis of meritocratic criteria, as well as to ensure the level of training and knowledge of firefighters through a long-term planning. In addition, in the context of the need to improve the immediate response of fire stations, he briefed the Speaker on the demands of the said Association regarding overtime compensation, hazardous occupation allowance and revision of the retirement age.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives praised the work carried out by the Cyprus Fire Service, assuring the Association that the House of Representatives, within the framework of its competences and powers, will assist in the promotion of the individual issues raised during the meeting.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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