By Penelope Galliou

At Parliament today the political confrontation between the government and the parties during the pre-order debate that will start at 10.30 in the morning, following the initiative of the government regarding the recent fires that occurred in the country, the measures to support the affected and the initiatives launched by the government for dealing with the consequences of the climate crisis.

During his position, the prime minister is expected to present information about the fire fighting season and the fires that hit the country during the summer, while he will also refer to proposals for dealing with the fires in the new climatic environment facing the planet and triggered by the climate crisis.

According to information, the government’s fire prevention and response plan will cover five main axes, with special emphasis expected to be given to prevention and redesign for the next fire season. A period which is expected to start faster and in the battle of prevention new technologies will be used – according to the same information – as well as the new supply of 100 drones expected as well as the further use of surveillance tools such as thermal cameras etc.

A critical and goal for the government staff is to have a greater mobilization of the local government and the coordinated completion of specific prevention projects such as the cleaning of forests, plots and areas, the creation of fire protection zones, the opening of forest roads, etc. In fact, the creation of a platform is being considered, where it will be recorded how much of the state funding the municipalities receive for the projects in question, so that there is a correspondence between funds and projects.

In case of inconsistency on the part of the local authorities, there is a possibility that a framework of sanctions will be established for those responsible.

In this light and with the aim of having as much funds as possible for fire protection and civil protection, the government staff aims to use more funds from the Recovery Fund. After all, it relies to a large extent on community funds AEGIS programthe national Civil Protection program, which includes a series of diverse but also targeted interventions to strengthen infrastructure and technical equipment, upgrade human resources skills and knowledge base, integrate information and communication technologies and promote innovation in the field of Civil Protection.

​In the battle of prevention, the judiciary is also thrown, with a stricter legislative framework and penalties for those who commit arson either intentionally or negligently, while in addition to the strictest penalties, it is not excluded that a part of them will be served compulsorily in any case.

At the same time, as already announced after the meeting that took place at Megaros Maximos, the Forestry Service immediately declares, with administrative acts, these areas to be reforestable. While at the same time the procedures are starting, as for the previous fires, for the anti-corrosion and anti-flood works in the affected watersheds. In other words, log barriers and other technical projects, which have absolute priority.

With regard to those affected by the devastating fires across Greece, support measures have already been implemented for those people who saw their property destroyed in the flames and the aim is to pay the compensations without obstacles and delays.