In the bad weather as well as in preparation For the firefighting period The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection mentioned, inter alia, Giannis Kefalogiannis In an interview with SKAI’s 100.3 radio.

“Already on Sunday we had issued a danger card on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Yesterday, the phenomenon mainly hit the islands of Paros and Mykonos. In the evenings it moved to the east so we also published an 112 which is in place for the islands of the Eastern Aegean »Mr. Kefalogiannis stressed and added that he was also issued 112 for the Dodecanese for which from today until tomorrow at noon, he said, there is a need for increased alertness to their residents. He also noted that it remains in force in 112 in Crete and pointed out: “It was a combination of stormy winds in some specific areas but it was mainly the volume of rain that fell to specific points and for this reason, I repeat, in Crete, the Dodecanese and the islands of the Eastern Aegean remaining in 112 and requires increased attention.”

Asked For destruction in Mykonos and Paros noted that accepted around 160 calls, About 100 from Mykonos and 60 from Paros and added that there are some disasters, mainly in cars that were dragged on the island of Paros. “We are currently awaiting the finalization of the image in order for the local authorities to tell us if there is a need for assistance from our ministry to homes and businesses. At the moment there is no official request from the local authorities either to Paros or Mykonos that the ministry is needed. Therefore there is no picture of damage, “he said, adding that there was warning since Sunday night, and yesterday at 13:30 he was sent a warning of 112 that was drawing attention to travel and when the phenomenon broke out another 112 that banned the commute.

“That is, the residents and especially the bodies, that is, the local communities and of course the service, was already alert since Sunday night,” he said.

At the same time, Mr. Kefalogiannis made it clear that 112 was not appointed by a political decision of the Minister or the Deputy Minister or the Secretary -General but on the recommendation of the Risk Assessment Committee and on the basis of scientific data.

About preparation for firefighting period, He stressed that this year they are starting this effort with the largest historical number in terms of the Fire Brigade- 15,500 permanent and 2,500 seasonal, A set, that is, 18,000 people. “Three years ago, the corresponding number was about 13,000 permanent and 2,500 seasonal, ie 15,500. We have an increase of about 20% in the last 3 years. So this shows a constant care of the state to strengthen the Fire Brigade in numbers »he said.

At the same time, the minister said that our country has both the national fleet and rented means. “There are 49 which we rent on the basis of an agreement we have for five years. And it is also the national fleet, which is mainly under the use of the Armed Forces, the Canadair, the helicopters and everything else can be offered, “ noted. Asked about all the amenities available this summer, the minister said that, along with the national fleet, the total number would exceed 80. “We have increased numbers in staff and a good air fleet of airplanes and helicopters. And also with the big Aegis program, which has been running in recent years, we will start having a fleet of terrestrial in the wheelchair. Therefore, there will be an additional reinforcement there. “ He said, while stressing, at the same time, that when talking about natural disasters, no one expects that we will not have issues that cannot be addressed and that the State’s obligation is to limit the devastating consequences. “There will be fires. No one has the illusion that there will be no fires. The point is that there are no human casualties, to limit as long as the catastrophes in homes, businesses and the environment, and from now on we have the good preparation. Preparation never stops. When the firefighting period is over continues again ”, noted.

For them seasonal firefighters, The Minister underlined: “The competition at this time is in the air. In fact, it came into the air last Saturday. We already have the temporary tables today. For the 2,500 positions at this time applications are 7,400. The goal is to complete quickly so that the first ten days of May are all in their positions, that is, they have signed their contracts, going through a quick process of training so that we are ready in the firefighting season. Many of them, of course, will have the experience as older seasonal because they have an extra scoring of ten molecules, per fireball. ” Referring to the age limits, he pointed out that, “there are two age limits. The so -called fighters are 40 years and in terms of drivers it is 50 years. Until last year it was 45 years for drivers. It increased to 50 so that we can get more people from the tank of experienced seasonal. Also, for the first time for this year and for the next 5 years we do something that in my opinion is correct. Instead of 6 months these people who are valuable will hire them for 8 months. From early April to the end of November these people will be in the power of the Fire Brigade. “

About protests that exist said that “These people have an anxiety because when a new notice is made, some will be left out of scoring. I met their associations already on Friday. I think we had a very honest discussion with the new data anyway and as a new minister I found a situation and I am currently trying to manage a management on real data. I believe that the proclamation is going well in the sense that we are running quickly to be just our time and in place the specific precious firefighters of the Fire Brigade and beyond that we can find some alternative ways of absorption, I am very open to it. But this notice will proceed. We do not have the luxury to say that we are torpedoed and I think we will have a very good development overall. “

For them successful said that, “The temporary table of successful candidates was posted on all services in the country. For the next ten days the objections will be, so after this cycle is over, they will be called upon to cross the health committees, the sports will be and I repeat, the goal is the first ten days of May to have the contracts have been signed. You understand how quickly we run this notice, that is, in essence within 30-40 days, in an unprecedented process for Greek data, so that we have these people in place. But to say something very important. The reservoir of these 2,500 seasonal seasonal seasonal is different as those that were 5 years ago, because of the original 2,500 seasonals that began in 2019 and 2020, the 1,150 have already been absorbed by the Fire Brigade in the so -called Entreas which are the forestry, so they have been permanently established. That is why there was the need for a new notice. So we have already absorbed 1,150 people as permanent in the body. This year another 300 plus 150, 450 people will be absorbed. Therefore, we also have the initial seasonal of about 1,600 people absorbed in the body. “

For the possibility wage increases In firefighters, Mr Kefalogiannis said that these issues are a central government decision, and in particular the prime minister and not one minister. “If you ask me in my previous status as Deputy Minister of National Defense, the increases that were rightly given to the Armed Forces officials came mainly from a long -term work we had done within the ministry. Money was saved on the existing budget and allowed the increases to be announced. In any case of the government as a whole of the government, there are people such as those who really risk their lives every day to save lives and property to have the corresponding reward. ” he said.

Asked about the situation in Santorini The minister said that “A JMD is in place by the end of April, which actually prohibits access and work in specific areas of the island.”. As he said, on March 21, the two committees met, with a series of conclusions, which adopted 100% while stressing that scientists’ estimates show a recession in the seismic activity, but could not be ruled out in the coming days and an earthquake larger than we see. In any case, as he pointed out, the conditions allow the installations and infrastructure to be restored to their usual operation. “By the end of April, there will be a reassessment of the danger to say de facto if we can open these sites that are currently banned. In the meantime, work is being carried out on various slopes of the island, we have also met with Mr. Papathanassis in order to have an additional funding to the Region and the Municipality. ” noted.