The Civil Protection Department was set up to protect human life and property. Its chief, Lt Col PETER CORDINA, speaks to Maria Giuliana Fenech about the work carried out by the department and the challenges it has to face on a daily basis

What does the Department of Civil Protection do and what does your role as the Director of this Department entail?

Often, the general public thinks that the Civil Protection Department has just one function – fire-fighting and rescue. This is incorrect. By law, according to the Civil Protection Act 1997, Bill No. 43, the Civil Protection Department is responsible for the protection of human life and property. We are also committed to offering assistance in case of natural or man-made disasters and therefore we draw up contingency plans to be implemented in case of disaster.

Our entities include a Marine Unit, Humanitarian Aid and the combat of chemical, nuclear and biological disasters. The Civil Protection Department is also heavily involved in a clean-up campaign being organised on Saturday at Chadwick Lakes by the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry. The department will provide personnel and logistic support during this activity.

The department is a member of the International Atomic Agency and from time to time, we participate in training courses both locally and abroad. Furthermore, in 2003, the department signed an agreement with all European Union member states whereby we pledged to offer assistance in case of disaster both to other member states as well as to third countries. In fact, we offered assistance during Hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans. This agreement is also a guarantee of immediate support by the member states, to Malta, in case of disaster.

As director, every six months I meet up with all the directors of civil protection of European Union member states in the country that holds the presidency. During these meetings, we thrash out all problems, personal or otherwise, which we might be facing.

Did any factors draw you towards the Department of Civil Protection?

In 1999, I was the director of prisons when my wife died. Consequently, I asked the Deputy Prime Minister Tonio Borg to be relieved from my office. He transferred me to the Civil Protection Department, which is slightly less onerous than the prisons.

For several years, you were part of the Police Force before switching to the Armed Forces. How has this been of help?

I was a police officer for 13 years before switching to the Armed Forces where I spent another 13 years before resigning and being reinstated in the Police Force. As I have mentioned, I also spent two years as director of prisons. I consider myself lucky to have served in both forces. The experiences I have garnered during these years, especially through personal contacts with heads and officers of both services, give me a feeling of general well-being. Having experienced both forces also makes coordination of duties under very difficult circumstances run smoother.

You are also a member of the Civil Protection Council. What is the role of this council?

The Civil Protection Council is chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and comprises heads of various entities set up by law to oversee works by the department and to decide on various matters especially in case of disaster.

The Civil Protection Department is still in its infancy. Do you face any problems and how do you overcome them?

The problems we face are necessary because they make the department run more efficiently. We often meet challenges when conforming to guidelines imposed by the European Union. The biggest difficulty is trying to convince the general public that disasters can happen and guidelines should not be regarded as jokes. In 2003, we had floods in Malta. Unfortunately due to climate change and global warming, these occurrences may become more regular. As Malta is very densely populated, earthquakes or fireworks factory explosions can affect many people.

The Civil Protection Unit does not aim to alarm people but it strives to prepare people for all circumstances. The adage “Better safe than sorry” holds fort. As a department, we also want the Maltese people to know how to react accordingly if ever they are away on holiday and an earthquake takes place. At the moment, the members of the Civil Protection Department are undergoing training at the Mater Dei Hospital so that if, God forbid, a tragedy had to strike they would know the layout of the area perfectly.

One of the most well-known units of the Civil Protection is the Fire-Fighting and Rescue Unit. On what levels does this unit operate?

Previously, the fire-fighting unit was the responsibility of the police force. In 2000, this unit and the Rescue Unit were transferred to our department. The Fire-Fighting Unit has an enormous responsibility. It is on call 24/7 and constantly faces danger from fire and falling buildings. Its members also assist in traffic accidents.

The Fire-Fighting and Rescue Unit also rescue any animals from trees, high buildings and the like. Around once a week we are called to assist people who have been locked out of their home. Parents often go run errands, leaving their young children at home. Returning home and finding themselves locked out, they obviously panic. It is quite irresponsible to leave babies, toddlers and young children home alone especially when one considers the many dangers there are around the house.

Lately there seem to be fewer problems with people finding themselves in difficulty during floods. Is this because the general public is paying closer attention to your recommendations?

During the last years, the department has established excellent relations with the media. If there is a big happening like a storm, we immediately inform the media with a set of guidelines and they in turn transmit them via radio, television and newspapers. Therefore many accidents are being avoided. Unfortunately an impractical few still insist on going out in these conditions. I also have a quasi-weekly slot on the John Bundy programme Bongu informing people about what to do in case of emergency.

What relationship does the Civil Protection Department have with voluntary organisations like the Malta Red Cross Society and St John’s Ambulance Brigade?

The Civil Protection Department also has its own Voluntary Corps. People from all walks of life like medical doctors, lawyers, nurses and my daughter Christine form part of the corps. This corps was set up two years ago and the number of people who have applied has by far exceeded our demand. At the moment, we have 45 volunteers and during the coming weeks, we are going to enlist a further 25 volunteers. These volunteers are chosen very carefully and are trained in all aspects of civil protection. This corps provides me with a great sense of satisfaction.

Besides the Voluntary Corps, we also seek the assistance of the Malta Red Cross Society and St John’s Ambulance Brigade. We do exercises together and have established excellent working relations. The Health Authorities Emergency Response Team also comes to our aid even when it is not on duty.

What level of participation does the Civil Protection Department employ on the educational front?

Our department gives lectures on safety at different schools around Malta and Gozo. We believe children are the best means of communication with adults, as they tend to transmit what they learn to their parents. In addition, local councils and companies often ask us to give demonstrations on how to deal with emergencies.

On a personal level, how do you cope with the tragedies, which form part of your daily life?

Over the years, I have gained experience from the “university of life” and by assisting in different disasters; this has enabled me to cope with all the tragedies that I encounter. However I also have to mention the full support I receive not only from the minister and the Permanent Secretary, but also from my (second) wife Mathilde.

Lt Col Peter Cordina was born in 1949. He has served in the Police Force and in 1976, he was appointed inspector. He was in charge of the Mobile Police Squad and later in charge of the Traffic Department, which at that time included the Fire-fighting and Rescue Services. In 1990, he was transferred to the Armed Forces and he was in charge of various operations including Search and Rescue (maritime and airborne).

During this time, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

In 1992, he resigned from the Armed Forces and re-joined the Police Force eventually being transferred to the Corradino Correctional Facility as Acting Director and later Director.

Two years later, he requested a transfer which led him to the Civil Protection Department of which he is now head. Lt Col Cordina’s first wife passed away in 1999.

He is now married to Mathilde. Together they have four children – Gordon, Corinne, Marika and Christine. He is also involved with Caritas support group ROSE.