Nicosia, Cyprus. Justice Minister Costas Fitiris on Monday announced a national rapid response plan aimed at improving coordination between emergency services following last week’s seven-hour closure of the Nicosia-Limassol motorway.
The government completed a review of the response to the accident and drafted a framework defining the duties and actions of each agency involved, Fitiris said after a meeting with relevant services.
Emergency coordination
The meeting included representatives of the police, fire service, Civil Defence, ambulance service, Public Works Department and other authorities that may be required during a serious incident.
“All these services must work together and respond in the shortest possible time,” Fitiris said.
He said the plan was intended to prevent a repeat of the disruption caused when a lorry overturned and blocked the motorway.
Chain of command
The proposed framework will establish a defined chain of command, specifying which authority coordinates the response, the actions required from each service and how information is communicated to the public.
Fitiris said police would hold overall responsibility for coordination, while several other agencies would participate depending on the incident.
Public warnings
The plan will also identify the authority responsible for issuing public warnings and set out how existing systems, including CY-Alert, will be used to notify drivers and residents at an early stage.
The objective is to stop vehicles from continuing towards an incident and becoming trapped in congestion, while directing motorists to alternative routes.
