Four new firefighting vehicles for the Civil Protection Department (CPD) were inaugurated on Thursday, through an investment of almost €3.5 million, the Government said.

During the inauguration, Minister for Home Affairs, Security and Employment, Byron Camilleri, stated that this investment reflects the principle that guides the work of the Ministry – that the safety of people remains the highest priority while Malta must always be prepared for whatever may arise.

He referred to the professional way in which the Civil Protection Department together with other entities worked hand in hand to give peace of mind to Maltese families in the face of stormy weather challenges in recent weeks. “Your safety, our priority, is not simply a message of the occasion, but a thought that we live by every day in the decisions we make and the resources we allocate. Today we are seeing the result of a substantial investment in favour of a more prepared Malta,” said the minister.

The Minister explained that these modern vehicles will continue to strengthen and modernise the department’s fleet, with the capacity to be used in various scenarios – including fires in houses, garages and industrial buildings – especially in urban environments where rapid response is crucial, and stressed that this forms part of a long-term plan so that the country remains in the best position to respond when needed.

The Minister noted that during the past year, the department was called to 6,638 incidents, which shows how crucial its role is in national security. “While investment remains essential, prevention remains the best tool to avoid incidents, and therefore information and prevention initiatives will continue to be strengthened,” he said.

Director General of Civil Protection, Peter Paul Coleiro, said that the inauguration of the four state-of-the-art vehicles marks an important step both for the Department and for the safety of Maltese communities.

He explained how in recent months Malta has faced serious challenges, including two major fires and the impact of Storm Harry, which highlighted the need for the Department to remain equipped with the best resources available.

Photo: DOI

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