It only took two minutes to automatically detect smoke within a radius of 2.5 km in Penteli. The exact location was immediately sent to interface with the Fire Department’s systems. It was all done in the framework of the artificial intelligence application test run. In particular, three tests of two different systems with smoke generators were carried out.

As stated by the Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou in APE BEE “there are two assumptions that no one can dispute. The first is that becoming more resilient to the effects of the climate crisis is an imperative change for today, not tomorrow. The second has to do with Artificial Intelligence, which is also a condition of the present and not of the future. The fires that hit various regions of our country this summer also force us as the Ministry of Digital Governance to show quick reflexes and not to allow any more precious time to be lost. In Penteli we tested two different technology solutions to see if we can detect fire outbreaks in time. The first results were very encouraging and in the near future, in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Protection and Climate Crisis, we will evaluate the tests carried out, so that we can quickly proceed with the design and implementation of the required projects. Technology is our ally and can provide solutions, what is of special importance is to adapt them to the real needs and problems, which we are called to face”.

Note that the digital solutions proposedThey concern tools such as long-range micro cameras and Lidar sensors, which are to be placed on already existing mobile phone antennas or TV repeaters in forested areas of the country.

Their installation on mobile phone antennas was chosen because they are already electrified, while at the same time they provide the required security in case of possible theft of the equipment.

The systems that are planned to be put into the battle of fire fighting, they will utilize artificial intelligence technologies, with the aim of locating smoke sources and sending automated updates to the Fire Department with a geolocation point. At the same time, the geolocation technology will be able to contribute to the detection of arson, as it will accurately record the place and time of the start of a small fire, while the cameras will be able to detect people or even vehicles.

The first test operation of such systems by Greek companies, took place on Wednesday, October 25 in the presence of the Minister of Digital Governance, Dimitris Papastergiou and the Deputy Minister, Kostas Kyranakis, while the Minister of Civil Protection, Vassilis Kikilias, and the Minister of State, Akis Skertsos, from the Maximou Palace, had a parallel connection. The forces of the 9th Station of the Fire Brigade were also present, as well as executives of the companies that presented their systems in simulation of real conditions.

It is worth noting that the mechanism is alert and the co-competent Ministries of Digital Governance and Civil Protection will “run” the required procedures with a request to proceed with the installation of the equipment before the start of the fire season.

We should also mention that on May 1, the platform designed by the Ministry of Digital Governance will be ready, which will concern the identification of plots that need immediate cleaning. Through the platform there will be a system of automatic notification of the municipalities for the owners of these plots, so that they can intervene in time.