In collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Energy, the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, the Region of Western Macedonia and the Region of Epirus, Rolex Greece S.A. funded the implementation of action for the monitoring and immediate response to fires.
Valia Kalda, known as “Hot Valley”, is one of the seven protected National Parks of our country. Located in the Pindos mountain range, it is among the most valuable natural treasures of Greece, covering 69.27 square kilometers. With the implementation of the project, the protection of the area from the constant threats of fires was significantly strengthened.
Business Implementation
The project included the creation of Operational Control Centers and non-stop aerial patrol with four state-of-the-art drones, operated by 11 specially trained and certified pilots. The drones, equipped with wide-angle cameras, thermal cameras and laser identifiers, could detect the slightest sign of fire, even under adverse weather conditions. When a fire was detected, the information was transmitted, in real time, to the Operational Control Centers and, upon confirmation of the danger, the Ministry of Civil Protection was quickly informed, for an immediate response.
The Power of Continuous Surveillance
Thanks to continuous 24/7 aerial patrols and real-time data analysis, the surveillance system was able to detect and immediately deal with any potential fire threat in the Valia Kalda area. The use of artificial intelligence allowed the accurate prediction of fire behavior and the immediate mobilization of the competent authorities.
Report of the Project
The contribution of Rolex Greece S.A. in the implementation of these advanced technologies for the protection of Valia Kalda was vital. This concerted effort to protect Greece’s natural heritage is an example to follow for the future of fire protection.
Strengthening of Forest Protection Nationwide
In addition to the protection of Valia Kalda, Rolex Greece S.A. invested in the overall forest protection of the country. With the company’s support, more than 70 Forestry Departments of the Ministry of Environment and Energy were equipped with state-of-the-art IT systems, allowing forest officials to work efficiently in the field, regardless of difficult conditions. The mobile operation, the 24/7 real-time connection and the special software aim at the immediate and effective coordination of forest protection and firefighting in Greece.
Ongoing Commitment to Social Responsibility
With its continued commitment to supporting public health and social welfare, its action to protect Valia Kalda joins previous initiatives of Rolex Greece S.A.
During the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the company offered significant support by donating specialized medical equipment to key NHS hospitals. This sequence of actions demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to protecting the environment and Greece’s vital infrastructure.
The Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Theodore Skylakakis said: “We take advantage of modern technologies and all available funding sources, implementing prevention initiatives aimed at protecting our forests and strengthening their resilience. We welcome social responsibility actions like those of Rolex, which focuses on the protection of Valia Calda from fires, while at the same time strengthening more than 70 forest offices throughout the country, with modern tools that facilitate the demanding work of forest officials. We hope that these actions will soon find imitators, with the ultimate goal of helping, effectively, to deal with the effects of the impending climate crisis”.
The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Mr. Vassilis Kikilias, said: “The rapidly evolving climate crisis and unprecedented natural disasters affecting the entire planet make it clear that humanity will be increasingly confronted with the elements of Nature. As with the pandemic, where the threat was asymmetric, so with the effects of the climate crisis, the only way to cope is through teamwork, solidarity and synergies. In this year’s fire season – the most difficult in the last 40 years – the private sector has supported the efforts we made at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection and the battles fought by our firefighters to deal with more than 10,000 forest fires. Especially the drones that monitored 24 hours a day peri-urban and peri-urban areas of the country, had a decisive role in the early detection and immediate extinguishing of dangerous fires. Rolex was one of 11 sponsors of the drone donation. Thank you very much for the valuable support in our difficult work and I hope that other companies will follow its example, contributing to the huge effort that the government is making in dealing with the climate crisis.”
Source: Skai
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