Newsroom / CNA
The Fire Service responds to about 13,000 calls annually, with 8,500 related to fires, Fire Chief Nikos Longinos said Monday, as officials marked the start of Fire Safety Week.
Speaking ahead of the official fire season beginning April 28, Longinos said around 5,000 fires occur in rural areas and 3,500 in urban settings. More than 90% of fires are linked to human activity, including negligence, carelessness, and arson, he said.
Justice and Public Order Minister Marios Hartsiotis warned that the 2025 fire season coincides with adverse conditions such as low rainfall, depleted dam water levels, and prolonged drought. "We must all demonstrate social responsibility to preserve the country’s flora and fauna," Hartsiotis said.
As part of Fire Safety Week, which runs through May 4, the Fire Service and CNP Insurance are collaborating for the 24th year to raise public awareness under the slogan, "So that our dreams don't turn to ashes." The week will culminate with a public event on May 3 at MY MALL Limassol, featuring fire truck displays and fire safety information.
Longinos noted that penalties for causing fires have been toughened, with maximum sentences reaching 12 years’ imprisonment and €100,000 fines for forest fires. Penalties for rural and urban fires have also increased.
Beyond firefighting, the Fire Service handles rescues from traffic accidents, mountains, and elevators, as well as hazardous materials incidents and earthquake response. New training programs supported by the Police Academy and partnerships with international training centers aim to enhance firefighter readiness.
Hartsiotis emphasized that technological upgrades, including real-time surveillance at the National Coordination Center “Zinon,” drones, and new forest fire detection systems, are critical in fighting fires. Proposals for additional equipment purchases are expected to go before the Council of Ministers soon.
"Every fire season finds the Fire Service fully prepared," Hartsiotis said, citing reinforced rural stations, patrol programs, and staffing initiatives.
CNP Cyprus Group CEO Takis Pheidias said the insurer remains committed to helping clients minimize fire risks, while General Manager Andreas Stylianou highlighted CNP Insurance’s ongoing support for fire prevention initiatives.
