Nicosia, Cyprus. The cabinet approved plans on Wednesday to create a national civil protection mechanism directed by a civil protection coordinator, President Nikos Christodoulides said. He described the move as part of reforms launched in 2023 to strengthen crisis response.
Reform framework and leadership
Christodoulides said the aim is to create an upgraded framework for coordination and cooperation among all involved services under a national coordinator, based on European standards, to improve responses to crisis incidents.
He said the coordinator is expected to be appointed by the interior minister of the day. Until parliament passes the bill establishing the position, the role will be filled by fire brigade chief Nikos Longinos.
Context and expanded role for civil defence
The civil defence’s role drew increased attention after a wildfire in the Limassol district last summer that killed two people. At the time, presidential crisis management advisor George Boustras said the civil defence would assume an upgraded role as part of the reforms.
Boustras said staffing levels would be increased to align the civil defence more closely with civil protection forces in other European Union member states.
Firefighting capacity and disaster management structure
Boustras said the reforms aim to strengthen firefighting capacity so that all services operate under the same umbrella, and to provide a comprehensive view of disaster response by strengthening civil protection.
He said the civil protection force would gain increased firefighting capacity and a new organisational structure covering the full disaster management response mechanism, including prevention, suppression, and restoration.
European Commission technical assistance
Boustras said the government requested technical assistance from the European Commission in developing the plans. He said the assistance comes through international organisations and various services, which advise based on international practice and work with state officials to propose solutions tailored to Cyprus’ needs.
How do you think the new national coordinator role could change coordination among emergency services?
