The man who’s prepared for any emergency

Despite all the “good work done so far”, Cyprus still has a long way to go in preventing disasters, an issue that can be resolved with proper training for prevention, Savvas Savva – honoured for his service in saving lives – has told the Cyprus Mail.

“You should always be on alert and prepare for the extreme even if it is unlikely to happen,” he says, explaining that being fully prepared can save lives.

He encourages people to act immediately in any incident, rather than waiting for someone else to respond. Both individuals and businesses should learn first aid, how to use a fire extinguisher and evacuate a building safely.

Although programmes are available and indeed sponsored, many businesses are more worried about the working hours lost rather than the lives that can be saved, and this is “both frustrating and criminal”, he says.

And Savva is well placed to know. On April 20, Savva was honoured in his civilian capacity along with another two individuals for their support in firefighting as part of the Fire Brigade’s 25th annual fire safety week, sponsored by ERB Asfalistiki, under the slogan Let’s Not Let Our Dreams Turn to Ashes.

Savva has been fighting fires, administering first aid, evacuating buildings and communities, and training people for almost 20 years. He is head of the response team in Tseri where he lives, and part of a similar team in his home village, Alona. Savva is also a department head in Civil Defence.

When not in his Civil Defence capacity, Savva helps people around the clock as a civilian, stopping to help at accidents, providing first aid and pointing out potential risks. His car is permanently stocked with first aid kits, defibrillators, reflective safety vests – which he gives away to those who need them – oxygen and anything else that might be needed in an emergency.

He is also a first aid instructor for the Red Cross, the police and other services and forces, and has served as health and safety officer in Tseri and Alona.

Savva became involved in saving lives for humanitarian reasons and provides his services wherever needed, including as an immediate response liaison for the fire brigade and the police. As a civilian, he provides services and advice free of charge.

“In case of an accident, I will pull over, give first aid, secure the scene and wait for the ambulance to arrive. I have been honoured many times by groups and relatives of people I have helped, but I am just doing what anyone should do,” Savva says.

Providing first aid in an emergency, such as an accident, is just one aspect. “For someone to feel that another person stopped to help him is a big thing,” he explains.

This, he says, has happened more times than he can remember.

Savva provides first aid and health and safety training sessions for businesses and schools as well, free of charge.

“I am very involved in the first aid bit and also with health and safety. They are interconnected. If you act to prevent, you will avoid injury.”

Recalling incidents, Savva says some stand out more than others.

Twice in Tseri he assisted in the evacuation of a retirement home during a fire. “We got all the elderly people out before the fire brigade got there. I was lifting old people in my arms and carrying them to safety. They couldn’t get out on their own.”

Savva served in the military and is a battlefield trainer. “I have a wide range of knowledge and I am continuously learning.”

With a keen eye for hazard, Savva immediately spots weak points and informs those responsible.

“As soon as I see something, I point it out. If I see that something is not right, I seek out the person responsible, I send emails, I give advice when the safety of people is at stake.”

Such cases may be potholes or crumbling walls, which pose a threat to passersby, and advising the creation of fire protection zones around buildings. “I have done this countless times.”

Savva points out that he does most of this work “as a civilian”.

At other times, he participates in firefighting as a member of the Civil Defence, as in last year’s wildfires that swept through mountainous Limassol.

He also helps people get waste to designated areas and in 2022 received an award from the Ecologists’ Movement in the framework of environment day.

In Alona, Savva managed to save a 35-year-old who was choking on vomit.

“I encourage people to become involved in first aid.”

But Savva stresses the need for prevention as “the cost of non-prevention is very high”.

“Many accidents are caused by carelessness. Safety is above all the most important factor and everyone can attend first aid classes. I train people in the use of fire extinguishers, evacuations and first aid, at schools, businesses and elsewhere.”

Savva says it is also a good idea for local authorities to undertake such training for the people in their communities.

“We explain to the community councils and leaders what to do in case of a fire and how to get to safety. We show the way out of buildings and areas, what to notice etc. We train them for all extreme events, including fires, earthquakes, floods and tornados.”

During evacuations, it is very important for people to follow the instructions of the authorities regarding the safest route out, he added.

According to Savva, there is no excuse not to receive training.

“We are invited to state and private organisations. Private businesses are entitled to free programmes through the Human Resource Development Authority for first aid and health and safety at the workplace.

Despite all the training, Savva sees a lot yet to be done.

“We still have a long way to go. There are initiatives from businesses as well for prevention and training. But others are more concerned about losing working hours for training that is free. For me, this is disappointing.”

Savva believes safety campaigns should not be limited to one week.

“Campaigns should be all year round. Then we will be more than ready in the event something happens.”

Meanwhile, people should take precautions at home as well. “In their houses, people should have a fire extinguisher and know how to use it. They are not expensive and I train people on how to use them at Civil Defence. Everyone gets to put out a fire in a controlled environment. Also, every kitchen should be equipped with a special fire blanket. It takes just a couple of seconds for a disaster to happen.”

Savva also says people should keep their gardens clear of dry vegetation, which is a fire hazard, and have a hosepipe connected to a tap at all times. “These are instructions given by the fire brigade and the forestry department, but few people listen.”

He advises people to also keep first aid kits handy at home and in their vehicles, with the only difference that due to high temperatures during the summer months those in vehicles should be stored in protective polystyrene casing. Other items useful in a car are safety triangles and reflective vests.

Savva, who in the army was also head trainer at the military driving school, pointed out the “worst of all”, which is using mobile phones while driving.

“This is now out of hand. It is very dangerous.”