Nicosia: A 21-member Greek forest firefighting team from the Hellenic Fire Corps' Special Unit for Forest Operations (EMODE) arrived in Cyprus on Monday as part of the European Prepositioning 2026 programme.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the team will remain on operational standby on the island from September 1 to 15. Under the Prepositioning programme, firefighting teams from European countries are deployed in advance to other countries during periods of increased wildfire risk. This allows additional firefighting forces to be already on the ground and ready to assist national services if needed.
The Department of Forests, which is responsible for the operational coordination of the mission, has prepared a programme to familiarise the Greek team with Cyprus' forest firefighting and standby system, forest areas, fire protection infrastructure, and the island's specific operational conditions.
Cyprus Civil Defence, as the Republic of Cyprus' national contact point for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), contributes to the European dimension of the initiative. Support and host nation arrangements for the mission during its stay are being provided jointly by Civil Defence and the Department of Forests, it is noted.
According to the post, this is the first time Cyprus is participating as a host country for a prepositioned foreign forest firefighting team. The Civil Defence said the cooperation reflected the philosophy of Prepositioning, preparing together before a crisis so that the response can be faster and more effective when assistance is needed.