The Emergency Volunteer Department of the Pancyprian Association of Reserve Coomandos is one of the best examples of volunteering in emergency situations, whose training and level are equal to those of professional units. 

The Department met today Sunday 19/11 at the annual “Kyriakides Mushrooms Festival” in the village of Spilia and exhibited its equipment to the public. The said equipment includes special uniforms for rescue missions in mountainous and rugged areas with the appropriate special climbing-descending equipment, the use of which requires special training. The Department is also equipped with special firefighting uniforms, according to the standards followed by the Fire Service. 

At the same time, it has radios, binoculars, stretchers for transporting the injured, surveying equipment and other materials which are necessary to enable the Department’s volunteer teams to act effectively. It also has DJI’s Inspire 1 drone, which weighs 3 kg, with endurance ranging between 18-20 minutes and a maximum speed of 79 km/h.

The Department, as stated on its website, was established in 2009 by the Pancyprian Association of Reserve Special Forces with the aim of providing assistance, when requested, to State Services such as the Fire Service, the Forestry Department and the Civil Defence. Team members have been trained to the standards of the Emergency Response Special Unit and in 2011 they joined the action plan of the Army’s Joint Rescue Coordination Center (JRCC). Read more on the Department’s website HERE

Also read: ETEA | Rescuing a walker in Kannoures – The volunteers’ contribution is priceless