Security Services Integration: Examples from Around the World

The issue of cooperation and integration of security services in Cyprus is revisited, prompted by frequent discussions about the responsibilities and rights of each service. The question remains: can they cooperate and coexist under the same roof?

In an effort to find solutions, examples from other countries where services such as the fire department, forest fire service, civil defense, and police operate under a unified structure were examined.

According to artificial intelligence research, there are several countries where the Fire Service and the Forest Fire Service are a single department:

• France: Firefighters are responsible for both urban and forest fires.
• Germany: The Feuerwehr handles all types of fires.
• Australia: A single service covers urban and forest fires in many states.
• Sweden: Räddningstjänsten is unified and includes forest firefighting.
• United Kingdom: Fire and Rescue Services cover all types of fires.
• Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, New Zealand, Poland: Similar unified structure.

Additionally, there are countries where a ministry coordinates all internal security services. For example, in France, the Ministry of the Interior includes the National Police, Gendarmerie, Fire Brigade, and Civil Security. Similar structures exist in Germany and Israel.

The advantages of a unified structure include better coordination in crises, unified planning, avoidance of overlaps, and faster decision-making.

The proposal is for the government and parliament to seriously consider imposing a unified structure for all services, setting aside petty political expediencies.