A broad meeting under the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Evangelos Tournatook place today in Lamia for the preparation of the fire season in the Region of Central Greece.

During the meeting, aimed at the coordination and readiness of all the stakeholders of the Region of Central Greece, the areas of high risk and common preventive actions were evaluated. In addition, the focus of the debate was the open and complete cooperation of all stakeholders.

The Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Ev. Tournas, explained that this year’s firefighting season finds the Civil Protection Mechanism reinforced in human resources and meansHowever, stressing that the unpredictable of natural threats and climate crisis leaves no room for complacency. “Phenomena become more extreme, more often, and they require more readiness, more prevention, better coordination. And above all: Action without delay » Mr Tournas noted, asking everyone to vigilant and close cooperation at local, regional and national level.

Referring to business planningthe deputy minister has highlighted the contribution of the extremities, which will act this year with a reinforced fleet of helicopters and aircraft on alert. At the same time, he analyzed the ground forces that are on the alert and operating at the forefront, in the field. “1,085 firefighters shield the Region of Central Greece and together with 285 seasonal firefighters, 318 volunteers integrated into the MS, 27 voluntary organizations, increased permanent and seasonal forestry employees, OTA groups, and made special reference to the decisive presence of the “forestry” and in the creation of an additional EMD unit. In Chalkida, which, he said, together with the existing unit in Lamia, are a power factor for the area.

He also stressed that the region’s firefighting is incorporated and the use of drones to oversee critical air areas. “Eight unmanned aircraft are added to the Civil Protection Operational Network by providing: Continuous, quiet and targeted surveillance of inaccessible areas, through thermal imaging sensors and high resolution cameras, timely detection of ignition, and even 30 km, facilitating the coordination of aerial and terrestrial means » Mr. Tournas explained and noted that the synergy of drones with terrestrial and aerial means creates a new business model: faster, more expensive, safer.

The Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection also presented the central actions that have already been launched in the context of prevention, as he said “Prevention is the first, and perhaps the most important stage of any successful fire.” ‘To reduce fronts, we must reduce the risks’he said.

In this context, Mr. Tournas underlined the work done in Creating Fire Protection Belts on forests of Central Greece thanks to the program Antinero ivwhich is in full swing and has received an additional credit of € 50 million for project implementation, with a total design of projects of approximately € 210 million for the current year. At the same time, he asked the local authorities to proceed rapidly the vegetation cleaning projects in the mixing zones of forest and inhabited areas, as funding for 1st and second grade Local Authorities has increased to 40m euros this year, while pointing out the importance of their individual responsibility.

“The climate crisis leaves no room for complacency. It takes constant vigilance, preparedness and good coordination of the forces involved » The deputy minister ended.

It is noted that the meeting, hosted by the Regional Governor of Central Greece, Fani Spano, was also attended by Vice -Mayors and Mayors of Regional Units of Central Greece, Fire Brigade officials, Civil Protection of the Region of Greece of the Coast Guard, DIPYN Lamia, representatives of the 5th Health District, DEDDIE, EKAB, the Greek Red Cross and the voluntary groups.