Every summer, the topic that perhaps concerns the media more than any other is wildfires: how prepared or unprepared the state mechanism is, how many fires take place, and the “tributes” to firefighters, who are often called “heroes,” not only by the media but also by government officials. Especially the volunteers.
However, according to what they report to fyi, there is no state assistance given to volunteer forest firefighters, who only receive the equipment they need to meet the demanding requirements of the firefighting season through donations from foundations and the private sector.
“It bothers me when they call me a hero, especially when I’m not even given the proper tools or training to do the job I need to do. I don’t want to be called a hero just to boost my morale or to be thanked. I’ll feel better if I have the right equipment to work with, if I feel safe handling a forest fire, and if I’m properly trained,” says Ilias Tziritis, coordinator of forest fire actions at WWF Greece and volunteer forest firefighter, in an interview with fyi.
(Victoras Antonopoulos/fyi)
During the presentation of the program supporting volunteer forest firefighting teams implemented by WWF Greece, Higgs, and Desmos, Mr. Tzitis explains that there are significant gaps in the state’s management of volunteers.
“There is still no comprehensive volunteer system in civil protection. The civil protection academy, which should train volunteers, does not have a certified training program to ensure that all volunteers are trained in a standardized way, with specific strict standards, so that they all speak the same language as the fire department staff,” says Mr. Tziritis.
The fire department has always worked alongside volunteers in the field and relies heavily on them, “especially in large forest fire incidents where the system reaches and exceeds its limits, particularly in isolated areas where professional forces are few, and especially in areas where volunteers are very familiar with the terrain.”
The firefighting season began on May 1st, which means the discussion now focuses on the state mechanism’s readiness for another hot summer, as forecasted. However, Ilias Tziritis does not consider the year to be “particularly exceptional” just yet.
“If we look at the statistics, 13 of the last 25 years had more incidents in March than this year. Climate change affects forest fires, the extension of the firefighting season, and the occurrence of more challenging days during the season, but it doesn’t mean that things are drastically changing. Where it does change, we need to study it, research it, and adapt to it,” he explains.
The problem, according to Mr. Tziritis, is that while most incidents are managed in time, the 2-4% that get out of control cause 70% of the burned areas.
(Victoras Antonopoulos/fyi)
Volunteer teams operate in collaboration with the Fire Department, which informs them of any incidents that require the activation of the volunteer teams.
One of these teams that takes action when needed is the Saint Stefanos Civil Protection Volunteer Association.
The association has about 80 active volunteers, and according to the president of the association, Christos Sismanoglou, who spoke to fyi, there are over 400 volunteers and 5 volunteer teams in the municipality of Dionysos. These teams not only assist Dionysos but also neighboring municipalities, and if requested by civil protection, they will participate across Greece.
“Firefighters, as soon as they start heading to an incident, will inform the operations center that they are on their way. Upon arrival, they will update the center, and once they reach the site, either verbally or via radio, they will speak with the officer in charge of the incident to receive instructions,” he emphasizes.
How are they utilized? “If a fire truck has a lot of water, they will be used as water donors at a specific point to assist. If they have a vehicle that can hold 6-7 volunteers, they may be used with a team as a hiking unit or take on a larger section,” he explains.
Mr. Sismanoglou also highlights the lack of state support for volunteer teams.
“We would like consistent state support. The ministry should come annually and assist us based on the available manpower, providing the right equipment according to global standards. Not just a fabric uniform and a pair of boots,” he explains.
(Victoras Antonopoulos/fyi)
The situation is more challenging in the provinces, as the distribution of volunteer firefighters is not widespread.
“Staffing in the provinces is unfortunately lower than in the capital due to the population,” confirms Nikolas Daphalias, a volunteer forest firefighter and General Secretary of the Volunteer Forest Firefighters and Rescue Team of Psachna in Evia.
The association has been based in Evia since 1995, and its area of operation is the municipality of Dirfys-Messapia.
“The municipality has 13 villages, and it takes us 3 hours to travel from one end to the other. There are remote villages with only 10 residents, isolated forests that have been uncultivated for many years, national parks, and so on,” explains Mr. Daphalias, commenting on the difficulties of forest firefighting in the provinces.
He says that prevention has been at a better level in recent years, and the strategy has improved. “In the past, we may not have had this level of prevention, but we had the knowledge of local citizens, forest workers, shepherds, and resin farmers, who knew the forest and fought alongside us against the fire.”
But what does it mean to be a volunteer forest firefighter?
“For the average person, free time means reading, sports, etc. For us, it means being on duty, responding to an incident, helping citizens, and protecting Greece’s rich forest environment. It’s an idea, not just a role, that follows you throughout your life. You walk in the forest, and instead of thinking ‘how beautiful the nature is,’ you think, ‘how much fuel does this forest have?'”
(Victoras Antonopoulos/fyi)
Currently, the second cycle (24-26) of the Forest Protection Volunteer Teams Support Program is underway, organized by WWF Hellas, Higgs, and Desmos.
The program’s goal, which was presented on Monday at the headquarters of the Ekali Forest Firefighting and Rescue Volunteer Team, is to strengthen volunteer teams with standard-compliant equipment, provide training for the operation of hiking forest firefighting units, and promote the appropriate policy actions to implement the legislation for the national volunteer system in civil protection.
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer forest firefighter can contact the Panhellenic Federation of Volunteer Forest Protection and Firefighting Organizations (P.O.E.O.D.P.) or visit the website of their local volunteer team.
