Politis

Restrictions for Volunteer Firefighters – Jail Time for "Disobedient" Individuals

Published January 26, 2026, 16:15
Restrictions for Volunteer Firefighters – Jail Time for "Disobedient" Individuals

The Cypriot Parliament is scheduled to discuss a new legislative proposal on Thursday aimed at regulating the actions of volunteer firefighters. The proposal, submitted by AKEL MP Irene Charalambidou, seeks to improve the utilization of volunteers in fire incidents and strengthen their cooperation with state services (Fire Brigade, Forestry Department, Ambulance Service, and Police). The legislation provides for the certification of teams and volunteers, mandatory training by competent state agencies, and the definition of responsibilities and procedures for their deployment to incidents. The goal is to avoid chaos and ensure effective fire response. A key element of the proposal is the provision of penalties for volunteers who do not comply with the instructions of state services during a fire. Specifically, a prison sentence of up to six months or a fine of up to €1,000, or both, is foreseen for those who obstruct the work of firefighters or endanger themselves or others. Furthermore, the legislation provides procedures for the cessation, removal, or suspension of the status of a specialized volunteer in cases of serious offenses, such as conviction of a fire-related offense or unjustified refusal to perform service. This proposal comes in response to incidents of uncontrolled action by uncertified volunteers, as recorded in the recent large fire in Limassol.