In a strategic move to fortify its disaster response capabilities, Cyprus is acquiring state-of-the-art earthquake response equipment and launching cross-border training programmes, financed by a €2.5 million EU grant. The initiative, part of the "Epicentres" project under the Interreg VI-A Greece-Cyprus 2021-2027 programme, addresses the island's vulnerability in one of Europe's most seismically volatile regions. The development was announced by a unified front of Cypriot officials and their Greek counterparts, signalling a concerted effort to enhance regional civil protection. The procurement includes specialised rescue vehicles, expert seismic event equipment, and a pivotal mobile command centre designed to maintain operational capacity even if telecommunications networks fail. This logistical backbone will be complemented by three specialised workshops on seismic disaster management. A "train-the-trainer" model will be employed, equipping personnel from the Cypriot and Greek fire services to subsequently lead training programmes in Cyprus and Crete, fostering a vital exchange of expertise. Government figures uniformly underscored the critical necessity of the project. Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis pointed to recent intense seismic activity that shook the island as a stark reminder of the inherent risks. "This makes strengthening prevention, readiness, and effective crisis management absolutely essential," he stated, contextualising the initiative within the region's persistent tectonic threats. Echoing this sentiment, Interior Ministry Director-General Elikkos Elia elaborated on the training's "decisive importance." He emphasised that it "improves coordination, strengthens critical skills such as rubble rescue and first aid, reduces response time, and bolsters the psychological resilience of personnel—all factors that save lives in the critical first hours." Fire Service Chief Nikos Longinos added that the project "reinforces both local operational capacity and joint cross-border readiness," noting that high seismicity demands "increased readiness and continuous adaptation." The "Epicentres" project is not an isolated endeavour but is intricately linked to the Christodoulides government's broader agenda to overhaul civil protection. A central pillar of this reform involves the planned transformation of the Interior Ministry into the "Ministry of Interior and Civil Protection," aiming to centralise and optimise state services for disaster management. The collaborative presence of the Greek Fire Service Chief, Theodoros Vagias, and representatives from Crete and Syros at the announcement further solidifies the cross-border dimension of this resilience strategy. By investing simultaneously in cutting-edge technology and human capital, Cyprus is taking a comprehensive step towards mitigating the profound risks posed by its geological reality.