Cyprus’ Justice Minister, Stephie Dracos, called for everyone’s cooperation to protect the country “from the nightmare of fires” on Monday.
She was addressing an event for the launch of the Fire Prevention Week, observed this week, with events aimed at raising awareness on the importance of fire prevention in urban and rural areas. The Fire Prevention Week is being co-organised for the 21st year by the Cyprus Fire Service and CNP Insurance.
The Minister said that respect for human life, protection of property and of nature from the devastating effects of fires was everyone’s responsibility, noting that four people died in the wildfires that broke out last July, while damage to the environment was immeasurable.
She said that the estimated cost of last summer’s urban fires was €11million, while of forest fires was €18.6m.
The Minister referred to state efforts to prevent fires but added that fire safety continues to be everyone’s business. “So, the message is clear. We must join forces to achieve the best possible results in both prevention and the fight against fires,” Dracos said.
The Chief of the Fire Service, Polyvios Hadjivassiliou, said that every year, out of the approximately 13,000 calls they receive, 8,500 concern fires, with about 5,000 concerning fires in the countryside and the rest, urban areas, while almost 93% of fires are due to human activity.
Hadjivassiliou also referred to the constant upgrade of the Fire Service, in order to be able to help people, with continuous training of its members and its participation in European Programmes, by replacing every year a number of fire engines and acquiring new equipment.
He added that the Fire and Rescue Service of the British Bases which, he said, is a partner of the Cyprus Fire Service and “contributes significantly and supportively” to operations at all levels, was also launching a fire prevention campaign this week.
The General Manager of CNP Insurance, Andreas Stylianou, said that Fire Prevention Week is now an institution, since, for 21 years, the company, together with the Fire Service have been joining forces for a common cause, raising awareness about the dangers of fires and ways to prevent them.
Various activities have been planned for Fire Prevention Week, as well as the distribution of information material to rural communities, schools, shopping malls, offices, hotels, soldiers and more.
Awareness events will culminate with a “Fire Prevention Open Day” that will take place on Saturday, May 21, from 1000 to 1300 at the Nicosia Mall, where the public will have the opportunity to see fire engines and equipment, while there will be activities for children. CNP Insurance and Fire Department officials will brief the public on fire safety issues and distribute small gifts.
Source: Cyprus News Agency