The completion of the recruitment of 259 new firefighters to be added to the existing strength of the Fire Service, which currently numbers 680 members, is in its final stages, said Minister of Justice and Public Order, Marios Charalambous, in a speech he delivered on Wednesday at the graduation ceremony of 27 Trainee Firefighters of Class No. 3, who were hired on April 5, 2021.
Another 44 Trainee Firefighters from Class No. 4, who were recruited on November 7, 2022, continue to undergo Basic Training at the Firefighter Training School and are expected to complete all stages of the planned training by November 2025.
The Minister stated that the final stages of the recruitment process for the 259 new firefighters are underway, a number which, compared to the total strength of the Fire Service, is significantly large.
“This reflects the significant effort being made, on the one hand, to substantially strengthen the Fire Service personnel and, on the other hand, to enhance the entire state response system to the increased demands of fire safety and protection in modern times,” he said.
Charalambous noted that the challenges facing the Fire Service are increasing due to a continuously changing environment, rapid technological advancements, extensive construction development, and an increase in the frequency of natural and technological disasters, which are becoming more intense due to the climate crisis.
In this context, he said, the role of the firefighter becomes even more significant, demanding, and dangerous.
“The Government has prioritised the continuous strengthening and upgrading of the Fire Service, both in terms of personnel and its material-technical infrastructure and the firefighting fleet and equipment it possesses,” he said.
He added that the upgrading, reinforcement, and modernisation of the material-technical infrastructure and equipment, combined with continuous personnel training, contribute to improving response rates and enhancing the Fire Service’s operational capability and capacity, ensuring and strengthening citizens’ sense of security at the same time.
“Citizens recognise and reward the daily work carried out by the Fire Service,” he said, adding that the high level and quality of services provided by the Fire Service to the country’s citizens will continue and be further enhanced.
Noting that we are entering a new fire season in a few days, he said that timely preparation, proper operational planning, and taking all necessary preventive measures in collaboration with all relevant services are crucial for preventing major wildfires.
“I take this opportunity to call on all of you to prepare appropriately, so that you can always operate at the highest possible level of operational readiness, ready to successfully meet the new demands of our time, always standing by the citizens of our country,” he said to the firefighters. At the same time, he expressed hope that human factors will not once again be the main source of fire outbreaks this year, marking once again the Cypriot countryside.
