A total of 64 recruits have joined the Civil Protection Department (CPD) after successfully completing an intensive 20-week training course. With this addition of recruits, this department now consists of almost 300 officers.

The recruits took the oath of office at the end of a ceremony held at the Civil Protection station at Ħal-Far. The highlight of the ceremony was the recruits’ passing out parade.

In his address to these recruits, Interior Minister Byron Camilleri said that these workers will join a Department, which through the continuous investment made by this government, is equipped with all the necessary tools for rescue and civil protection operations.

Minister Camilleri also described how the government also invested in their training, “so much so that every time the hour of trial came, you always came out with honours – both in our country and even when you died helping those in need in Turkey, in Greece, in Libya, and you were praised and appreciated by everyone,” he said.

The Minister also made reference to the strengthening of rights, conditions, and salaries of the members of the disciplined bodies; among them with a new collective agreement for all Civil Protection workers, which brought about improved rights, conditions, and a stronger service pension.

He also explained that for the first time in history, pensioners who served in a disciplinary body and who did not receive a cost-of-living bonus will now be given an additional bonus equal to the full increase given for the cost-of-living adjustment.

For the passing out parade ceremony, Director General Peter Paul Coleiro and recruit Melanie Callus also addressed the new incoming cohort.