Greece and Cyprus launch the “Epicentrosis” project to strengthen earthquake protection

Today, the European project “Epicentrosis” is launching in Cyprus, aimed at the prevention and management of major disasters with a special focus on earthquakes, it was announced at a press conference at the headquarters of the Cyprus Fire Service.

The project is being implemented with a budget of €2.5 million and includes the delivery of rescue vehicles and a special mobile command center capable of operating even in the event of a complete telecommunications collapse, said the Director General of the Ministry of the Interior, Elikkos Ilias.

The Cyprus Fire Service is the main eligible beneficiary of the project and will cooperate with the Hellenic Fire Service, Cyprus Civil Defence, the Decentralized Administration of Crete, and the Municipality of Syros–Ermoupolis.

Key focus of the project is placed on strengthening the Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK). The plan includes the procurement of modern technical equipment, search and rescue materials, gear for special missions, as well as conducting a series of specialized training sessions and joint exercises.

Minister of Justice and Public Order Marios Hartsiotis and the Head of Strategic Planning of the Cyprus Fire Service, Nikos Mardas, noted that the project предусматривает three specialized training programs and the creation of a new command center for the coordination of operations. For residents of Cyprus, this means enhanced local operational capacity and increased cross-border readiness for seismic and mass emergency situations.