Since 20 August, when Greece activated the Civil Protection Mechanism for the second time this summer, the EU has deployed 11 firefighting aircraft of the rescEU fleet
To deal with the biggest fires ever recorded in the EU, the Commission’s Emergency Coordination Center has mobilized 11 fire brigades aircraft and a helicopter of the rescEU fleet stationed in six Member States. In addition, six European countries are contributing to the firefighting operations with six ground-based forest firefighting teams through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. So far, more than 810,000 hectares have burned in the Alexandroupolis area. This fire is the largest in the EU since 2000, when the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) began recording relevant data.
Since August 20, when Greece activated the Civil Protection Mechanism for the second time this summer, the EU has sent 11 firefighting aircraft of the rescEU fleet which were stationed in Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Spain and Sweden, 1 Blackhawk helicopter from the Czech Republic, 407 firefighters and 62 vehicles from Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia.
In addition, the EU’s Copernicus satellite mapping was used to produce 20 maps of the affected areas. This assistance follows the immediate response of the EU to Greece’s previous request to activate the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Last month a coordinated mission of 9 aircraft, 510 firefighters and 117 vehicles was launched to tackle the escalating fires.
The Crisis Management Commissioner Mr. Yanes Lenarcic stated in this regard: “We stand in solidarity with Greece as it fights against the devastating fires. The European Union’s largest aerial firefighting operation demonstrates our commitment to immediate and effective collective action in times of crisis. Our thoughts are with the citizens of Greece and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect life, property and the environment. EU unity and cooperation are our strongest assets in meeting these challenges.”
The EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism also proved essential in dealing with the weekend explosion in Romania. In response to Romania’s request for assistance, the Mechanism contributed to the transfer of 12 patients with severe burns to hospitals in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy and Norway.
Katerina Plati
Source :Skai
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