In view of the decisive role played by voluntary forest fire protection groups in dealing with and mitigating the effects of forest fires, WWF Greece, MKS Desmos and HIGGS (Higher Incubator Giving Growth & Sustainability) implemented the 2022-2024 Volunteer Forest Fire Protection Group Support program , with the main objective of training, strengthening and strengthening the work of volunteer groups, both in preventing and dealing with forest fires, highlighting once again the invaluable contribution of the people who always operate on the front line of the fires, with self-denial.

Through this Program, which was implemented within the framework of “Initiative 21” and with the support of the Athena I. Martinou Foundation, the Ioannis S. Latsis Foundation and the National Bank, a total of 1,936 volunteers from 50 groups were supported with high-quality equipment forest fire fighting from Rhodes to Evros while at the same time, 574 volunteers, from 118 groups throughout the territory, received specialized training. All this through a specific methodology of assessing and evaluating needs and constant interaction with the groups.

The planning and then the implementation of the program was based on the critical and chronic needs of the volunteer groups, both for logistical equipment and training: two equally valuable tools needed by forest fire protection volunteers in order to safely respond to the large demands of the project that they offer to protect our forests, but also citizens.

In fact, the essential contribution of the Program was felt during the fire fighting season of 2023, where 47 of the 50 volunteer groups that were strengthened, played a key role in dealing with the large destructive fires in Attica, Corinthia, Rhodes and Evros, utilizing both the equipment that was given, as well as the knowledge they received from the training workshops. At the same time, additional resources were mobilized for the immediate support of groups that operated in areas affected by the devastating fires and floods of 2023.

The 2nd cycle of the Program has been designed so that the relationship of trust that has been developed with the voluntary forest fire protection groups, continues in a way that brings added value to their operational capacity and also to highlight ways to better utilize them.

The new two-year, upgraded and particularly ambitious program to strengthen and train volunteer forest fire protection groups (2024-2026), is supported by National Bank, the Ioannis S. Latsis Foundation, and the Athena I. Martinou Foundation.

The objective of the second cycle of the Program is the further upgrading of the volunteer forest fire protection groups nationwide, so that they can operate in a coordinated and safe manner to suppress forest fires, through the provision of specialized equipment with an emphasis on the preparation and activation of hiking groups of volunteers, as well as training to more specialized forest fire subjects, through experiential training workshops. At the same time, it will include additional actions to educate local communities about the content and planning of prevention actions, as well as active interventions in the public debate that will aim to implement the relevant legislation and further strengthen social participation in dealing with forest fires.

More specifically, the second cycle of the Program will be structured in three axes:

Reinforcement with specialized forest firefighting equipment of voluntary forest fire protection groups that will be selected from all over the territory.
Training with a) experiential workshops for the operation and organization of volunteer pedestrian forest firefighting schemes in 10 selected areas, b) online prevention workshops aimed at local agencies, but also the general public and c) creation of an online networking and mutual information hub for volunteer groups forest fire protection of the country.

Interventions in the public debate by submitting documented proposals to the competent bodies and monitoring the progress towards the full and immediate activation of the mechanism for the utilization of volunteer forest fire protection groups, as provided by the current legal framework, with the aim of strengthening the role of volunteers, but also the activation of local communities.

Voluntary forest fire protection groups are among the most active members of Civil Society, and their support becomes not only necessary, but also imperative, in order to be able to contribute even more effectively to the protection of our forests, but also to the support of local communities against forest fires.