Every year, the Fire Service receives an average of approximately 13 thousand calls, of which 8.500 concern fires, while 4.500 concern calls for humanitarian aid services, said on Monday, the Chief of the Fire Service, Nikos Logginos, who noted that of the fire calls, approximately 5 thousand concern fires in the countryside and another 3.500 fires in urban areas.
Speaking at a press conference, on the occasion of the start of Fire Safety Week, which will be held from April 28 to May 4, 2025, Mr. Longinos stated that the main characteristic of these fires is that over 90% are caused by human activity, which may be due to negligence, recklessness, deliberate burning, but also in several cases malicious or incendiary actions.
For his part, the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Marios Hartsiotis, said that the start of the firefighting season, which officially begins today, comes at a negative time, with low rainfall rates, low water levels in our dams and prolonged drought, stating that "2025 is another year when we must all roll up our sleeves and demonstrate in practice our social obligation towards the preservation of the flora and fauna of the country."
It is noted that the Fire Service and CNP INSURANCE, for the 24th consecutive year, are joining forces in their joint effort to inform and raise public awareness regarding the dangers posed by fires, as well as the protective measures against them.
With the central message "To prevent our dreams from turning to ashes", Fire Safety Week will culminate with an open event for the public, which will take place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 10:00 to 15:00 at MY MALL in Limassol.
Attendees will have the opportunity to see Fire trucks and firefighting equipment up close, while executives from CNP INSURANCE and the Cyprus Fire Service will inform attendees about Fire Safety issues and will distribute symbolic gifts to the public.
Speaking at the press conference, the Chief Fire Officer stated that "with the aim of strengthening prevention, deterrence and effective suppression of fires, protecting the natural environment, human lives, the property of our fellow citizens and state infrastructure, with a recent revision of six pieces of legislation, the penalties for causing fires have been tightened", noting that "these include the maximum penalty for the offense of causing fires in forests of 12 years of imprisonment and/or a fine of €100.000, in the countryside 10 years of imprisonment and/or €75.000 and in Municipalities/Communities 8 years of imprisonment and/or €50.000".
According to Nikos Logginos, "the Fire Service, as already mentioned, does not only have operational responsibilities for extinguishing fires in the countryside, but is also tasked with covering fires in urban areas and generally in all residential, industrial and hotel areas."
"In addition to these tasks, it is responsible for rescues after traffic collisions, elevator rescues, mountain rescues, rescues from liquid elements (sea and dams), specialized rescues, rescues from tall buildings, management of hazardous materials, petrochemical incidents, rescues from earthquakes, etc. In addition, the Service is responsible for fire safety checks and inspections, providing advice and expressing opinions on active and passive fire protection in buildings and in general in building facilities," he added.
He said that the Fire Service, in order to be ready and to stand as an aid to the citizen, is upgrading and now provides academic training programs by recruiting new firefighters, with the support of the Police Academy, adding that "beyond this, the training of our members is continuous in recognized standard training centers abroad."
Mr. Longinos further noted that "the long-standing cooperation of the Fire Service with all state bodies is a foundation for effective crisis management and the strengthening of public safety", adding that "the recent signing of Memoranda of Understanding with the National Guard (to which the newly established Air Firefighting Squadron also belongs), the Police and the Polytechnic School of the University of Cyprus, strengthens this cooperation and brings significant benefits".
For his part, Mr. Hartsiotis said that "the start of the fire season, which officially begins today, comes at a negative time, with low rainfall rates, low water levels in our dams and prolonged drought," noting that "this constitutes a cocktail of factors for the outbreak of fires."
He also said that "in addition to environmental risks, we also have to manage the human factor, which is largely the main culprit of many and destructive fires", adding that "the challenges are many and the Fire Service has proven that in difficult times it acts with consistency, program, strategy, planning, with primary concern for ensuring and protecting human life and property, preserving biodiversity and the forest and semi-forest areas of our country".
According to the Minister of Justice, "the Government of Nikos Christodoulides and by extension the Ministry, has placed very high on its priorities the continuous evaluation and strengthening of the entire fire protection system, both through the strengthening and upgrading of logistical infrastructure, means and equipment, and through the introduction of technological systems and surveillance means."
He also noted that "the "Zenon" National Coordination Center, reinforced with technological infrastructure and real-time image and data transfer networks, the firefighting services' operational coordination centers and the installation of forest fire surveillance and detection systems, as well as the assistance of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, the so-called Drones, constitute important pieces of the arsenal in the fight against fires."
Furthermore, he stated that the planning for the implementation of Phase II, which will lead to full operational readiness of the System, is progressing and very soon, the competent Ministries of Justice and Public Order and Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment will submit relevant proposals to the Council of Ministers for approval of the promotion of the purchase of the necessary equipment.
"Every start of a fire season finds the Fire Service in absolute readiness and this has been proven over the years. All the Fire Stations and Fire Service Observation Posts throughout Cyprus have been reinforced and staffed with appropriately trained personnel, the patrol program has been drawn up in collaboration with the relevant Services, while the Zenon Center is staffed with personnel from the Fire Service and the Forestry Department," he said.
In his greeting, the Chief Executive Officer of the CNP CYPRUS Group, Takis Phidias, said that at the CNP CYPRUS Group and CNP INSURANCE, we help our policyholders reduce the risk associated with fires.
As he stated, "in addition to modern and flexible insurance coverage, we provide a range of evaluation services, potential risk assessment and emergency plan development," adding that "in any case, the nature of the fire phenomenon is such that the experience, knowledge and skill of experts are invaluable."
In his greeting, the General Manager of CNP INSURANCE, Andreas Stylianou, said that at CNP INSURANCE, they assume their social responsibility and, through relevant initiatives, become helpers and steadfast supporters of the Fire Department in its fight to prevent fires.
Source: KYPE
