MPs in Cyprus have heard how the Forestry Department is low on staff numbers and equipment as the summer fire season begins to take hold across the island.
According to officials, new equipment will only start being purchased in 2018 while the airplanes belonging to the Forestry Department were last inspected by the Department of Civil Aviation in 2015.
Since 2015, the civil aviation essentially washed its hands of the planes and now refuses to handle the aircraft.
Of the 250 vehicles that belong to the Forestry Department, 130 are antiquated, some of which are 40 years old. As from 2018, these vehicles will gradually be replaced – at a rate of 12 per year. In other words it will take the Department 20 years to ‘renew’ its fleet.
The Forestry Department is at present unable to man all its vehicles as it is understaffed as is the airborne division despite the recruitment of two pilots in 2016. The Department needs another 36 fire fighters to supplement its ranks.
The department will, if need arises, hire pilots from the private sector for 2017 and 2018 as the present number of pilots are not sufficient for the correct and safe execution of duties during the coming summer months.
Three small landing fields close to Troodos to assist in refuelling are to be constructed between Kokkinotrimithia and Mamari in the Nicosia district while three new fire fighting planes valued at some €13,3 million expected by 2022.
The Fire Services on their part expressed their disappointment in receiving only 169 seasonal firemen as opposed to the 220 requested and who are required to man fire stations – mainly rural – from Tylliria to Nisou in the Nicosia district.
A Finance Ministry official also informed MPs that the request for part-time fire fighters was denied because the 1,665 part-time places in the entire public sector had been filled.
Head of the Kannavia local community council, Xenakis Xenophontos told gathered MPs that his community did not have enough funds to cover the expenses of cleaning the verge of 37km of mountain roads under their control.
Agricultural organisations also expressed their disappointment that as yet compensation to farmers has not been paid.