New recruits officially joined the Civil Protection Department yesterday, the first group recruitment in 16 years.
Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela congratulated the 60 new assistant rescue officers and called upon the public not to abuse the emergency number through needless phone calls or and not to hinder the CPD’s work during a rescue. The government would be investing in the CPD by providing them with new protective clothing at a cost of €100,000, he said.
The CPD’s fleet would be reinforced through new equipment and vehicles through an investment of €8 million. Ten new fire engines would be joining the fleet in the coming weeks and digital and radio communication equipment would be purchased. However, the largest investment remained in human resources, Mr Abela said, referring to Parliament’s approval of a law allowing disciplined forces to be represented by unions. “It’s a learning curve. As a government and as unions, we need to learn how to work together,” he said. He pointed out that an anomaly distinguishing the CPD from other disciplinary forces would be ironed out to allow rescuers to retire after 25 years of service.
Representing his colleagues, new recruit Mario Muscat said that, on March 30, the group members first met as colleagues but yesterday emerged as a family during the passing out parade at Ħal Far.
Their job was a vocation through which they gave assistance – at the risk of their own lives – to Maltese, foreigners and animals, he said.
CPD members were trained in law, fire fighting, car accidents, flooding, chemicals, working at heights and underwater. “Apart from saving people’s lives, we also help to save people’s properties,” Mr Muscat said. During training, the recruits helped in an actual fire incident at a woodworks factory, in a garage situated four storeys underground and an apartment full of people.
“But apart from the downsides, we also experienced people’s gratitude for our help,” Mr Muscat said.
CPD calls for assistance
• There have been 800 calls for assistance so far this year.
• Last year, the CPD intervened about 5,000 times.
• Summers are the busiest, with nearly half (2,400) of the incidents occurring between June and September.
• In August, there are nearly 700 calls for assistance.