Sixty new volunteers were appointed with Civil Protection Department whilst in the near future calls for application will open for new fire-men. In a caremony at CPD Headquarts in Hal Far, Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Carmelo Abela said that this was the third recruitment of volunteers within CPD, under this administration, leading to reach the aim of 100 active volunteers with CPD for the protection of society.

He remarked that the role of volunteers won’t be only including support during mass activities. They will be stationed around the 5 fire-station in Malta and Gozo. Thus in their free time they will be assisting the CPD members who assist in around 5,000 calls of assistance per year.

He said that in the upcoming the administration will contine to invest in volunteers. They will be provided wit new fire-kits, like ARO’s they will be given vaccines against infectious diseases and will be offered new courses on life saving at sea.

Minister Abela presented this group of volunteers comprising 57 males and 3 females a certificate of achievement in the end of 15 weeks of intensive training. He applauded their dedication and their work. With satisfaction he noted that in the period of training they received around 130 hours of training, both theoretical and practical.

Hon. Abela mentioned that throughout this week volunteers were invited by the Department to participate in an exercise of control of hazardous material taking place at oil tankin in Birzebbuga. This exercise brough togethers regular members of CPD, ngo’s in the sector and the same volunteers.

Minister for Home Affairs congratulated them for succeeding to stand and end this course as a group of 60. He encouraged them to keep motivating each other to serve as volunteers for a number of years. 

Present for this ceremony was also CPD Agent Director Mr Emanuel Psaila, Deputy Director Mr Peter Paul Coleiro and programm instructors Mr James Newell and Mr Frankie Axiaq.