“Preparation is not limited to the months of May to October,” the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection said.
The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection spoke about this year’s goal in view of the firefighting season, as well as the cooperation of Civil Protection with the Armed Forces. Giannis Kefalogiannisas part of an interview with “OT” yesterday on the sidelines of “Delphi Economic Forum X”. Regarding the dual nature systems, which are used in both Defense and Civil Protection, the Minister stressed that the Civil Protection and Armed Forces cooperation has been significantly strengthened over the last two years through the creation of the vertically integrated DIAFKA (construction and natural disaster administration), which, as he said. “This cooperation is now established at the level of European Union, as natural disasters can evolve into hybrid threats to state security. Disastrous phenomena may cause social upheaval, destroy critical infrastructure and affect energy stability. Our cooperation with the General Secretariat of National Security is crucial to the comprehensive treatment of these phenomena, “he noted.
At the same time, he emphasized: “The Ministry of Civil Protection is actively involved in the National Security Council (KYSEA), which allows the leadership and institutional level to have a close coordination and cooperation between the Ministries responsible for the treatment of natural and other disasters. In recent years we have seen this cooperation in practice, both in prevention and suppression of natural disasters. For example, during the catastrophic floods of “Daniel” in Thessaly, the Armed Forces were there and assisted in infrastructure and infrastructure restorations. The prefabricated bridges and other means of the Armed Forces, such as Belley, restore infrastructure and are a valuable tool in the suppression of natural disasters and the Aegis programs enhance these potential, offering the necessary means for better cooperation and faster reaction. “
As Mr Kefalogiannis pointed out, Civil Protection will continue the use of the national fleet, with Canadair and helicopters playing a decisive role in extinguishing fires, and added that with the Aegis program, it also acquires its own means, allowing more coordinated and effective efforts. “The media of the Aegean program is also critical for the armed forces, such as meteorological stations and radars, which provide valuable information on monitoring and prevention of phenomena. This cooperation reinforces the country’s overall reaction to natural disasters and is a role model for how Greece can be shielded against multiple threats and crises, “he said.
In addition, the Minister pointed out that equipment would gradually be delivered from the “AEGIS” program mainly on terrestrial media, which also concerns equipment for the firefighters themselves and for voluntary organizations. At the same time, as he said, for the first time this year, the Fire Department will have 18,000 women and men, an increase of 20% compared to 2023, where their number was 15,500. In addition, he stressed that the forces will be strengthened with 2,500 seasonal firefighters, as well as with new aerial means and drones.
“We will have 80 surveillance drones with thermal cameras for the first time, which will operate 24 hours a day, enhancing the ability to quickly detect fire and guidance of ground forces,” he said.
As the volunteers of the Fire Department noted this year, there will be 4,500 as well as another 5,500 from other voluntary organizations, who, as the minister said, “really fight very much”.
For the forthcoming firefighting period, which officially begins on May 1, the minister noted that the preparation is not limited to May to October. “The state and civil protection services are working throughout the year, with the aim of preventing and dealing with fires. For example, only in March we had 1,600 fires, which destroyed more than 4,500 acres, “he noted.
Concerning the goals of this year’s firefighting season, Mr Kefalogiannis said the triptych is: fewer fires, rapid fire delineation, and a decrease in catastrophic consequences. “A holistic approach to the phenomenon is required. We have made a very good preparation and I think that when all the stakeholders, everyone in their field of responsibility, follow what we need, we will have the result we want, ”he said.