Newsroom
Cyprus has received a 21-member Greek forest firefighting team as part of the European Prepositioning 2026 programme, with the unit set to remain on operational standby from September 1 to 15.
The team, from the Special Unit for Forest Operations (EMODE) of the Hellenic Fire Corps, arrived on August 31 as Cyprus enters a period when the risk of forest fires remains elevated.
The European prepositioning programme is designed to place additional firefighting teams in participating countries before emergencies occur. Having personnel already stationed in the country allows support to be deployed without waiting for an international team to travel in response to a fire.
First time Cyprus hosts a prepositioned team
The Greek deployment marks the first time Cyprus has acted as a host country for a foreign forest firefighting team under the programme.
During their two-week stay, the Greek firefighters will be introduced to Cyprus' wildfire response arrangements and operational procedures. The Department of Forests has organised familiarisation activities covering forest areas, fire protection infrastructure, the national standby system and conditions that could affect firefighting operations in Cyprus.
The Department of Forests is responsible for coordinating the mission's operations, while Cyprus Civil Defence is involved through its role as the Republic of Cyprus' national contact point for the Union Civil Protection Mechanism.
Cyprus Civil Defence and the Department of Forests are also jointly handling the practical arrangements and support required during the Greek team's stay.
The deployment is intended to ensure that extra firefighting resources are already available if Cyprus faces a major forest fire, allowing national services and their European partners to react more quickly when needed.
