Filenews 11 May 2022 - by Michalis Hadjivasilis
The Fire Brigade sees with a positive eye the proposal of the Minister of Agriculture, such as the responsibility of rural fires other than forest fires, is taken over by the Department of Forests.
The chief of the Service of Polis Hadjivassiliou told "F" that he is not negative about such a development, provided that the coordinating role of these areas is assigned to the Department of Forests. He stressed that the Fire Brigade will help with its forces in extinguishing fires in the countryside as is now the case with the forest fires, but the coordinating role will be played by the Department of Forests. Mr. Hatzivassiliou added that if this proposal is implemented, the Fire Brigade will focus only on fires in the cities, with the managers of the provincial stations not being forced to leave when a fire occurs in the countryside as is the case now.
Meanwhile, Jordan also entered the game to acquire firefighting helicopters, with discussions taking place at the highest level. The President of the Republic speaks directly with the King of Jordan so that two firefighting helicopters can be granted by the neighbouring country, in the event that large fires break out in Cyprus.
Moreover, in a confidential note of the Police that was submitted the day before yesterday at the meeting at the Presidential, on the issue of dealing with fires, it is stated that by the end of the month four advanced command stations will be ready at police stations while three more are being prepared, in case a fire breaks out near the area. In the first phase, special fire administration and coordination centres will be created at the police stations of Kalo Chorio, Limassol, Klirou, Agros and the Police Directorate of Morfou. In a second phase, administrative stations will be created in Kouklia, Stroumbi and Lania. These stations, according to the police note, will be equipped with TVs that will receive a picture from police helicopter cameras or drones, about the state of the fire and coordinates will be given to the coordinator of the firefighting aircraft so that targeted water drops are made, etc.
Also, the Police can provide their crisis room to manage a fire until a special centre is set up near the event area. The Police also have the role of evacuating a community if this is deemed necessary, which is why, in consultation with the Civil Defence, it has drawn up its own plans.
