Filenews 4 July 2021 - by Michalis Hatzivasilis
The Fire Department is on a trajectory of major changes with its promoted self-government. In addition to grades, badges, etc, the Service changes fundamentally. New departments, staff recruitment and new stations are in the spotlight to enter the new era. Since 1958 when the issue of its self-government was raised, it has taken until 2021 to achieve it.
From September 1st, the umbilical cord will be permanently cut with the police, a bond that lasted more than 70 years. The director of Polis Hatzivassiliou, who will now be called chief of staff, notes to "F" that the umbilical cord can be cut, but the ties with the Police will always exist. The Agency should also be independent in the field of computerisation since it is now 'in another era', and sections concerning recruitment, human resources promotions should be set up. From there, a fire management centre is being prepared, and the dispute with the Municipality of Lakatamia for the local fire station seems to be coming to an end.
- How is the fire department's self-government progressing and what is the time horizon for its implementation?
- The relevant bill has been passed since last April and the self-government has not yet been implemented because some action will have to be taken beforehand so that we can go it alone. It was set at 1 September, both by the Ministry of Justice and the Police, for the implementation of the self-government and by then certain procedures must be completed and we must have the structures necessary to operate on our own. It is necessary to make some structures, some departments, such as the creation of a recruitment office and an IT office, since now we are in another era and we may be the only part of the Public Service that is not computerized. In order to be able to follow the challenges of the times, we have given weight to this issue so that the other departments can rely on it, such as the Department of Administration and Human Resources, the Directorate of Finance, Recruitment, Fire Management Office, etc. A lot of work has been done to date with the support and guidance of the Ministry and the Police and all issues are under way in order to reach the time horizon set. I should add that committees have been set up from the three departments (ministry - police - fire brigade), there are 15-day meetings and we see their progress to be within the timetables. The volume of work is very large, our members are working nightly and I hope that we will be ready.
- The biggest thorn seems to be computerization...
- It has been found that the biggest problem is computerisation, because it is not only up to us, it is also a matter for others. It requires equipment and programmes. We have been in contact with both the Government's IT Department and individuals and have seen that it takes time for this work to be done. That is why there is a third solution: to give us space in its computer system by the police, until March when we will be able to install our own systems and equipment.
- When all these changes are made, what will self-government mean for the ordinary fireman?
- I'm not saying we've had any problems with the police so far. You can't throw away 70 years of cooperation, which is why we're going to feel this bond for many years to come. From one day to the next, there can be no change. Let me just say that cooperation between us will never cease to exist. This bond will continue forever.
Self-government will certainly allow us to take the decisions that need to be taken either in incidents or in other cases that we have to deal with, and this flexibility will take us even further forward.
On the other hand, some procedures and handling of internal issues will take place more quickly. When it comes to operational matters, we are autonomous. Recruitment, promotions and disciplinary matters, we'll run all of this on our own.
As far as training is concerned, we are now working with the Police Academy to continue training firefighters.
For budget matters, as a Fire Department we have always handled these ourselves. The police were only helping us with warehouse issues. Our budget, also because of self-government, is expected to be increased because in order to do all that is necessary, additional costs are needed until full self-government is done. Here's also how we're now working on the provisions concerning the Fire Department. Until now we have operated under the police regulations and one third of the police's provisions have to be made fire-fighting.
It is well known that by the end of the year we will have around 100 vacancies, where out of the 730 organic positions we have, to be minus 100 is a significant number, so recruitment has to be made. In order to be a ready-made firefighter, he must spend three years of training, which is now at university level, from the day of his recruitment. So you realize it's a problem in the staffing of fire stations. Our effort is aimed at filling vacancies and that is why we have the support of the Ministry of Justice, which is why efforts are being made to fill the vacancies. In addition to the vacancies, there is also the need to recruit additional staff to meet the needs for the operation of the two new fire stations, those of Vasilikos (in the energy centre) and Ayia Napa. Another 112 firefighters are needed to meet these needs.
I should note that until now the police have provided us with personnel for computerization and other work. Now that we will take care of everything, we have calculated that we will need another 25 firefighters for the self-government to function smoothly, in order to staff the new departments or existing ones that will be developed, to do the work required. For both financial and operational reasons, our recommendation is to hire civilian office staff so that firefighters do not have to be hired for office duties.
- What about the new fire stations planned?
- The programme of improvement of fire stations will continue. Already in our program is the creation of a new fire station in Ayia Napa, while the demolition and construction of a new fire station in Larnaca is planned, which is the oldest station in Cyprus since it was built in the 1950s and no longer covers the operational needs of the city. A study was carried out which showed that there is no other suitable site in the wider area of Larnaca and so it was considered appropriate to demolish the existing station and build a new one. Then follows the construction of a second fire station in Paphos, since it is the second province that has a station, to cover the northwest side of the city which is the side of hotels and Pegia. There we have an early response gap. An attempt was made in the past to build a new station, but now we have identified a space that we consider suitable and we are in the process of acquiring it in order to plan the construction of the new station that will cover the whole area.
For rural stations, we are at a very good level and already these days the substation in Kyvides is starting, a project that will cost around €280,000. The tender has already been awarded and the project will start. Then there is Pachna where we are in the design stage and hopefully next year we will start this station. It is also planned for a new station in Eftagonia, since the existing one does not meet the current needs but also the vehicles we have. A piece has been identified and we are in the process of being granted to join a three-year project to become a new station. There is also a decision to set up a fire station in Pissouri. We are in the process of granting a piece and it is estimated that this will fill a grey area or an empty spot that exists today and cannot be satisfactorily covered by the existing stations. If this station is made, it will cover an area from Limassol to Petra tou Romiou (to the tunnels in particular), where we will cover the area of hotels in Pissouri to the villages (as far as Alectora), which now troubled us due to the gap that exists. This station is considered a hub and it is estimated that with its operation with hourly staff 24 hours a day this area will now be covered for firefighting issues. Another station that is in the works is the one in Pedoulakis, a rural fire station, where we are searching together with the president of the community to find space.
A Fire Management Centre is established
- You said earlier that you would set up a Fire Call Management Center. What's this office going to do?
- In addition to self-government, we also run the issue of the creation of a Call Management Coordination Centre, similar to that operating in Greece and almost all European countries. It will be a central system where all calls to the Fire Department will be channelled and handled by this Centre.
In this Center there will be 4-5 firefighters who will handle the calls and at the same time from here we will monitor all fire stations, all vehicles and all incidents, since we will have an image from the site of the fires. With this Centre we will be able to reduce the number of telephone operators at the stations and to have only the main stations and the rest to be notified by sound or signals for any incident. With this system, fire trucks will be given information on the site of a fire, on the existence of hydrostations, and even on the traffic situation on the roads. For us this Centre is of paramount importance, it is a serious upgrade of the Fire Department to go even further. Our efforts are as this work is implemented through European programmes for which we are at an advanced stage of study in cooperation with government departments and individuals. A similar centre was held at the CSED and I believe that it will significantly upgrade the services offered by the Fire Brigade in our country. The Call Management Center will be located at the Fire Department Headquarters.
Necessary Lakatamia station for reasons of public interest
- There's an issue with the fire station operating at the Fire Department Headquarters in Lakatamia. Where's the point?
- There really is an issue. The necessity for the operation of a station here at the Headquarters is indisputable and quite rightly my predecessors proceeded to its establishment as a fourth station in Nicosia to cover the rapid development that the western region received. From here we save valuable response time and cover many areas up to Klirou, Akaki-Astromeritis. So the station is a necessity for the area and if we are forced to leave, then I think that the immediacy of the response will be reduced, since if the station closes we will go to the main station of Nicosia in the Acropolis. You realize how long it will take for a fire truck to come from Athalassas Avenue to Lakatamia or further afield? Property will be lost and lives put at risk.
- What's the issue with this station?
- According to a letter from Mayor Lakatamia, there is a decision by the city council to take legal action against us regarding the operation of the fire station here. We wouldn't want to get into litigation because a neighbour reacts. In the public interest, it is not in anyone's interest to move the station. Otherwise, the municipal authorities here will have to take responsibility for any movement. The responsibility will be all theirs. Just to tell you that even for a car accident, every second counts, we could lose people from this movement. I'm not hiding from you that a lot of attempts were made to move the station to another area, but they didn't go ahead for a variety of reasons.
The first attempt was made to move to the former Lakatamia military airport. Unfortunately it was not possible to go there for reasons known to OHIM and the whole effort fell into limbo. Then there was another attempt to lease a building that was unfinished. Public Works told us it didn't meet the criteria and was abandoned. An attempt was made to get to the police station of Lakatamia – Anthoupolis, but for some data that existed we did not end up. Then we went out to offer to find a building suitable to house the station. Only one tender was submitted, which was considered unprofitable due to cost. At the same time we continue our efforts to secure state land, and we have found some space for us to build in the future.
I stress again that the public interest requires us to stay here. If we're forced to leave, it'll be the responsibility of the city. Let me just remind you that all the fire stations in the cities are in populated areas. Why aren't they bothered elsewhere and just here? We are in all good spirits in the public interest, but if we are forced to leave, I sincerely regret it. The station here was set up by necessity and we hope it will be solved but it takes time.
N.B.: From the day the interview was taken until it was made public, the station remained until another solution was found.
THE NEW DEPARTMENTS
In addition to the uniforms that will change, the name of the grades will change with the self-designation, while for the manager the position and salary change.
According to the new legislation, the Fire Brigade is set up in accordance with the relevant approved organic positions and the structure by members of the following grades or as the Council of Ministers may designate:
- Chief Of Fire
-Pyrarchos
- Vice-Captain.
-Pyragus
-Sub-fire
-Pyronome
- Fireman
According to Mr. Hatzivassiliou, new signals and new uniforms will need to be made so that the Fire Department looks like a different Corps.
