Filenews 5 October 2021
Last week, the Head of the Flying Means Unit of the Department of Forests of the Republic of Cyprus, Stelios Kotzikas, praised the working relationship with the BB which dates back to 1983.
Speaking at the Akrotiri Environmental Education Center before the lecture on aerial firefighting, he also wanted to stress the importance of having a permanent aircraft based at cape Air Base (RAF) since 2006.
He explained: "The cooperation between the CD and the BB on firefighting issues began in 1983, when an RAF helicopter was sent to deal with a fire in Cyprus.
"Since then, cooperation has been upgraded and made stronger by helping each other to fight the fires that often break out across the island every year. Joint training is also carried out.
"Since 2006, the Flying Resources Unit of the Department of Forests has been operated by RAF Akrotiri in order to support the aircraft in extinguishing fires in the Limassol District.
"The Akrotiri RAF supports the planes with fuel and ground equipment and the Control Tower assists the aircraft on an operational basis."
He also highlighted the significant upgrades made to RAF Akrotiri to support these efforts.
"In 2020, the Flying Means Unit of the Department of Forests established new, modern equipment to load planes with water, foam and retardant, making RAF Akrotiri a tanker fire base that can be used by light and medium aircraft for aerial firefighting," he said.
"We also have two aircraft - Air Tractor 8032F in standby mode, which means that two aircraft in raf Akrotiri, two in Larnaca and two helicopters in Paphos, often operate from Akrotiri to fight fires all over the island."
And he believes that the presence of aircraft has a huge benefit for both the CD. and the NV areas.
"All these aircraft are a great advantage for the BB, as there is an agreement that in case of fire within the N.V., they will take off immediately and fight the fires. Both the BB and the Fire Brigades of the KD cooperate to extinguish fires, save people, animals, and property and together they form an excellent team that serves people and the environment in the best possible way."
The lecture was attended by civilians, officials of the B.B. Fire and Rescue Service (DFRS) and the crew of the 84th Squadron (84 Sqn) and also included advice on fire prevention.
Dr.. Thomas Hadjikyriakou, who runs the Akrotiri Environmental Education Center, said: "Stelios is a highly trained firefighting aircraft pilot, with extensive experience both in Cyprus and abroad, including israel and Greece.
"Despite his busy schedule, in coordinating air firefighting efforts throughout the island, he was kind enough to prepare the lecture, explaining the usefulness and importance of using aerial means to detect and fight fires in forests and in the countryside.
"This presentation aims to educate the public about preventing and fighting fires, in households, in the workplace, in the countryside and in forests. It is the third in a row, in collaboration with the Forest Department of the DF and the B.B. Fire Brigade (DFRS) and others will follow."
The Department of Forests of the C.D. also participated in a demonstration flight with the 84th Squadron (84 Sqn) at the annual Reception of the NB, which guests from both the KD and the NB were happy to see.
