A group of 88 people aged between 18 and 50 were this afternoon sworn in Civil Protection Department volunteers.

Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia, who presided over the ceremony, said this was the first batch of volunteers taken in since 2008.

This group, which includes six women, will join a cohort of another 50 volunteers with the department.

Dr Mallia said that CPD personnel provided a significant and important service to society. This group of volunteers was made up of people from different spheres of society including professionals, workers and a friar.

They now formed part of the disciplinary corps. He noted that Parliament was currently debating a bill to allow them the right to join a union.

“This means that from now on your voice will be heard”.

CPD head John Rizzo said he was honoured to have people giving their service to the country on a voluntary basis.

But even though they were volunteers, they were still bound by law and the disciplinary code of the corps.

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