Evacuation drills are scheduled to take place in communities across all districts during the month of May. These exercises form part of the state’s broader planning for prevention and effective management of emergency situations.
The aim is to improve operational coordination between the competent services, further strengthen cooperation with local authorities and familiarise citizens with evacuation procedures.
The participation of the public in these activities is considered crucial for the effective response to emergency situations and for the protection of human life, property and the natural environment, the announcement said.
Update of the 'Polivios' plan
In parallel, and for the purposes of improved preparation and coordination, the Civil Defence Force has carried out visits to all communities island‑wide in recent months. In cooperation with Community Councils, the 'Polivios' Plan was reviewed and updated.
The update of the plan took into account the specific characteristics of each community, with procedures defined according to local needs as identified by Community Council representatives. The revisions were completed by all communities in mid‑April.
Focus on local readiness and coordination
The objective of both the on‑site meetings to update the 'Polivios' Plan and the evacuation drills planned in the coming period is to ensure the highest possible level of preparedness of local authorities for an appropriate response to potential wildfire incidents during the wildfire season, as well as effective coordination with the relevant state services.
Source: CNA