Filenews 18 April 2024
The final stage is the completion of the recruitment of 259 new firefighters who will be added to the existing workforce of the Fire Service, which currently numbers 680 members, said the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Marios Hartsiotis, in an address addressed on Wednesday, at the graduation ceremony of the 27 Probationary Firefighters of Series No. 3, hired on 5 April 2021.
Another 44 Fire Cadets of Series No. 4, who were recruited on November 7, 2022, continue to attend Basic Training at the Firefighter Cadet School and are expected to complete all stages of the intended training in November 2025.
The Minister said that the completion of the process for the recruitment of 259 new Firefighters is at the final stage, a number which, compared to the total strength of the Fire Service, which currently counts about 680 members, is very large, "demonstrating the great effort made on the one hand to substantially strengthen the personnel of the Fire Service and on the other hand to strengthen the entire response system of the State to the increased demands fire safety and fire protection of modern times," he said.
Mr. Hartsiotis said that the challenges of the Fire Service are constantly increasing, through a constantly changing environment, with rapid technological developments, great building development, and an increase in the frequency of natural and technological disasters that are becoming more intense as a result of the climate crisis. In this climate, the Minister said, the role of the Firefighter becomes even more important and difficult, more demanding and more dangerous.
"The Government has set high on its priorities the continuous strengthening and upgrading of the Fire Service, both in personnel and in terms of its logistical infrastructure and its firefighting fleet and equipment," he said.
He added that the upgrade, strengthening and modernization of the logistical infrastructure and equipment, combined with the continuous training of personnel, contribute both to improving the degree of response and to strengthening the suppressive capacity and capability of the Fire Service at an operational level, ensuring and enhancing at the same time, the sense of security of citizens.
"Citizens recognize and reward daily the work carried out by the Fire Service," he said, adding that the high level and quality of services offered by the Fire Brigade to the citizens of the country will continue and will be upgraded even more.
Noting that in a few days we are entering the new fire season, he said that timely preparation, proper operational planning and taking all appropriate preventive measures in cooperation with all relevant Services are crucial to prevent the occurrence of large fires.
"I therefore take this opportunity to invite you all to prepare appropriately, so that you are able to always be at the highest possible level of operational readiness, ready to successfully meet the new requirements of our time, always next to the citizens of our country," he told the Firefighters. At the same time, he expressed hope that the human factor will not be the main source of fires this year, stigmatizing once again the Cypriot countryside.
CNA
