Civil Defence | Public information event in Limassol – Photos

Defence Redefined

Published on 31/10/2020 at 16:25

Today the Civil Defence informs the public about its role and mission as well as about prevention measures in cases of earthquakes and floods, in an event that started at noon at the Multifunctional Seaside Park of Epichosi in Limassol.

At a press conference, at the beginning of the campaign, the Spokeswoman of Civil Defence, Olivia Michailidou, stated that the aim of the campaign is to sensitize the citizens, so that they can take appropriate measures in cases of emergency and of potential catastrophe, “to be sensitized and take some basic self-protection and safety measures.”

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Ms. Michailidou particularly referred to the issue of floods and the measures that the public can take to minimize the risks, such as controlling the gutters of the houses, cleaning the wells, installing an automatic water pump or the construction of a special pit for water accumulation in basements and vulnerable areas

The Deputy Commander of Civil Defence, Kyriakos Hatzigeorgiou, spoke about the modern mission of Civil Defence and referred to the need to change the system and increase its members in order to be more efficient.

“Our response time and efficiency is suffering due to the dispersion of staff and what we have asked from the state is to change the system so that there is an increase in the number of stations to a total of 30 to 35. These stations will be positioned based on the number of population and geographical area,” he said. 

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Among other things, he spoke about the certification process based on international standards of Civil Defence rescue teams, the need for financial support from the state, the installation of a large and unified warning system and information of the public, as required by the EU by 2022, but also the process of upgrading the existing siren system, in order to increase their lifespan.

“All this creates a grid and a need for staff growth, because the last time the Civil Defence was restructured was in 1996 and we need a review to be more efficient in our work,” he added.

 

Asked whether help has been sought after yesterday’s catastrophic earthquake in the Eastern Aegean, Mr. Hatzigeorgiou said that so far the information from Greece is that there is no such need, but he assured that the Civil Defence of Cyprus is ready to respond if required.

During the conference, the various departments of Civil Defence were presented by its official, Andreas Efthimiou.

The campaign will last until 18:00, while the public will also have the opportunity to see up close and be informed about the equipment available to the Civil Defence.

With information from CNA, General Administration of Civil Defence of Cyprus

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