The new data created by the climate crisis and the need for organizational and operational capacity of the state and agencies to deal with possible asymmetric threats, were the core of the “THISEUS 2024” mapping exercise, organized by DEDDIE.

In the exercise, which was carried out in collaboration with the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, under the coordination of the Professor of Dynamic Tectonics and Applied Geology Dr. Efthimiou Lekkaepisodes that may occur under conditions as a result of the climate crisis were examined.

In this context, operational exercise of DEDDIE related to emergency situations that affect the lives of thousands of people and require an effective management plan such as: A prolonged heat wave in the Attica Region causing damage to the Distribution Networks of many areas, two serious fronts of large-scale forest fires, which cause the mobilization of technical crews, extensive damage to a transformer of a Distribution Center supplying critical points in the center of Athens and a flash flood resulting in the overflowing of the Kifisos River in the urban fabric, putting a large number of substations out of service.

Key requirements for the successful response to emergency situations are optimal planning, interoperability, preparedness and adaptation of all parties. Therefore, the objectives of the “THISEUS 2024” exercise were, among other things, to create a common terminology and common understanding of such situations, to familiarize the practicing staff with specific procedures, to improve the process of collecting and evaluating information between all involved bodies, to identify any mistakes, weaknesses and omissions in planning, draw conclusions and take appropriate measures to eliminate them, in order to improve and upgrade handling in future crises.

Referring to the importance of the “THISEUS 2024” exercise, the CEO of DEDDIE Tasos Manos noted: “The climate crisis is catalysing the ecosystems, creating unprecedented conditions. Therefore, early recognition of pressures, redesign of operational strategies and a high degree of preparedness and interoperability are required. In this direction, the “THISEUS 2024” exercise was designed, which aims to inform and mobilize all involved parties for effective risk prevention and management».

In addition, Dr. Efthymios Lekkas pointed out: “The emergence of new forms of risks, the occurrence of more extreme events, the greater scale of disasters, the complexity and complexity of new risks and crises, are new challenges that must be included in operational planning and require new policies at the level of crisis management. The climate crisis is present and we must adapt to the new reality. With this exercise today the main purpose is our activation, our coordination and the highlighting of the gaps, so that the operational means are improved and we are able to respond to a real situation, that is, to a contingency that no one can predict rule out».

For the organization and implementation of the exercise, an Exercise Planning Group was set up, consisting of DEDDIE Executives and partners from the National and
Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA). Representatives of the Parliament (Technical Service), the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, the Ministry of Environment & Energy, ESKEDIK – PY, ESKEDIK – EL.AS., GADA, Fire Brigade Headquarters, GETHA (DIKAFKA), RAE, PPC participated , ADMIE, EYDAP, STASY, OASA, HELLENIC METRO, NEA ODOS, COSMOTE, EMY, National Observatory of Athens, OASP, EKPA, ITA, KEDE, as well as representatives from the Region and Municipalities of Attica.

The exercise took place on October 16, 2024.