Measures by Interior Ministry to upgrade lifeguard services are continuous and the aim is to provide safety to the public, an announcement by the Ministry says. Following press reports, the Ministry says that it acknowledges the issue and the unsatisfactory employment of lifeguards on some beaches, mainly in Limassol and Famagusta districts. The Ministry says that it assumed the management and implementation of the National Beach Safety Plan "SALAMIS", to provide lifesaving coverage of all organized beaches across the island, for almost 2 years, with rescues amounting to 416 for the years 2022 and 2023. The announcement says that important steps were taken such as the recognition of the profession of lifeguards, through the establishment of a new procedure and recruitment criteria, so that suitably qualified persons are hired to staff the beaches. Moreover, the Ministry says that it has purchased new life-saving equipment, while the purchase of additional necessary equipment is underway in cooperation with the District Administrations. Additionally, on the initiative of the Ministry, 45 new lifeguard towers have been set up and/or replaced throughout Cyprus in 2022. As regards the staffing during winter months, the procedures for hiring additional permanent staff are underway, mainly in Famagusta district, while at the same time the need for any additional permanent positions in the other districts is also being assessed. Regarding the shortages concerning seasonal staff, these are mainly observed during the summer months and primarily concern seasonal 3-month and 4-month positions. Furthermore, for better lifeguard coverage of the organized beaches, the extension of the lifeguard coverage hours in Larnaca, Famagusta and Nicosia districts during the peak months has already been approved by 2 hours per day. The Ministry of the Interior informs the public that it will continue to issue announcements, which will be updated often in relation to the staffing of the beaches with lifeguards for their maximum safety and protection
Source: Cyprus News Agency