“Protecting our country is a patriotic duty of all of us” emphasized the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vassilis Kikilias in his speech to the Plenary on the program statements of the government.

The minister mentioned the reforms and flagship projects that the Ministry will carry out:

– The preparation of a National Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change and a National Disaster Risk Management Plan. In this context, the most specific objectives are defined in detail: reduction of final energy consumption, increase in energy efficiency, participation of RES in the sectors of power generation, transport and heating and cooling, development of energy storage infrastructures. At the same time, the National Disaster Risk Management Plan, which aims to increase the level of security of citizens and strengthen the sustainable development of the country.

– The upgrade of the National Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management (ESKEDIK). With staff training and upgrading of the Center’s technological infrastructure. The creation of a National Database of Disaster Risks, Threats and Losses.

– The operation of the National Aerial Search and Rescue Mechanism “Theofanis Ermis Theocharopoulos”. Implementing the relevant commitment of the Prime Minister towards the mountaineer’s family, as well as that of the unfortunate mountaineer, the creation of the “Theofanis-Hermes Theocharopoulos” National Aerial Search and Rescue Mechanism (AMEED) is proceeding, to support and strengthen the work of the Fire Brigade, with logistical equipment, infrastructures and personnel, in incidents and search and rescue operations within the land area of ​​the Greek territory. With the operation of the Mechanism, the minister said, air transport infrastructures to Health structures are being strengthened to protect human life and the state’s ability to provide timely transport of citizens, even from the most inaccessible places due to the country’s special geography, is being upgraded.

– Creation and operation of the General Secretariat for Rehabilitation of Natural Disasters and State Aid. The new General Secretariat at the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection was established and is being structured, addressing, as the minister mentioned, the structural and long-term fragmentation of schemes for the compensation of those affected after a natural disaster – with five involved ministries – and unifying services and responsibilities in a ministry, with the objectives of reducing bureaucracy, rational management of public resources and ensuring quick, fair and immediate compensation of those affected.

Mr. Kikilas noted that the innovative concept for the adaptation of our country to the new state of affairs imposed by the climate crisis, puts forward three key pillars of action: prevention, preparedness, resilience. In this direction, he added, is the implementation of the “AEGIS” program to upgrade the country’s Civil Protection, with a total budget of 1.97 billion euros and financing of 466 million euros from the Recovery Fund, 713 million euros from the NSRF and 794 million euros from the European Investment Bank. The project includes:

– The reinforcement of the aerial firefighting fleet, with the supply of light-type amphibious forest fire-fighting aircraft, in which the installation of a certified float system enables water extraction from a free surface.

– Supply of 5+2 Canadair type aircraft through the rescEU European Civil Protection Aerial Mechanism, which will contribute drastically to increasing the operational capacity and performance of the aerial firefighting fleet.

– Her reinforcement of the Fire Brigade mwith fire engines and other means to meet modern needs and to deal with the increased demands of public protection, it is necessary to upgrade and replace the existing vehicles with new ones, which will be used by the local Fire Department Services (it concerns the supply of 1,800 fire engines vehicles worth 262 million euros with financing from the NSRF and the European Investment Bank).

– Her strengthening the infrastructure of the Civil Protection Service 112, with the appropriate logistical infrastructure, which will ensure its smooth and trouble-free operation and the prevention of possible serious damage. The purpose, Mr. Kikilias explained, is to achieve optimal management of emergency incidents by timely informing citizens, identifying system deficiencies and enhancing the useful life of its infrastructure. Also, the upgrade of the Meteorological Stations Network for the early warning of natural disasters with the development of an integrated network of automated stations to upgrade and expand the existing national network of meteorological stations in collaboration with the National Meteorological Service (NMS).

“Our doctrine is “Prevention, Preparation, Readiness, Immediate Intervention”” emphasized the Minister of Climate Crisis & Civil Protection and added that the operational planning of the Fire Brigade will obviously be strengthened in all regions of the country. “However, the coordination and effective cooperation of all of us is required. Especially now that we are in the heart of the firefighting season” he said and asked everyone “to support the work and mission of the firefighters, seasonal firefighters and volunteers, who fight daily for the maximum protection of human life, property and forest wealth of our country”.

Mr. Kikilias, responding to a question from the parliamentary representative of the Hellenic Solution, Constantinos Chitas, about the number of firefighting aircraft, stated that “their number has increased, we have more helicopters, tractors, aircraft and capabilities within the framework of our physical capabilities” but pointing out that “provisions are not automatic, they take time and all countries are now competing to shield their country against the climate crises they face.” The minister assured that “the maximum possible effort will be made to make the most of all the existing programs” noting that “some competitions have already been completed” and pledged to regularly inform the national delegation about the progress of all competitions.