Cypriot fire service celebrates K9 unit on International Dog Day

On August 26, 2026, coinciding with International Dog Day, the Cyprus Fire Service highlighted the essential role of its K9 unit within the Disaster Response Special Unit (EMAK). Officials emphasized that these dogs are integral partners rather than mere pets, requiring thousands of hours of training, discipline, and commitment to maintain their operational readiness for search and rescue missions.

The K9 unit currently consists of eight specialized dogs named Carlos, Ermis, Depy, Ninja, Sar, Alan, Roxy, and Atlas. These animals are trained to locate missing persons in diverse environments, including collapsed building structures, rubble, and open terrain. The Fire Service expressed gratitude for the dogs' service, underscoring the deep bond and coordination between the animals and their human handlers during critical emergency operations.