Services of the City of Athens are on heightened alert, as Attica has been placed under Risk Category 5 (State of Emergency – Red Code) for Wednesday (22/7), according to the Daily Fire Danger Forecast Bulletin. The municipality has implemented protective measures for vulnerable citizens, workers, and stray animals due to the extremely high fire risk.
Read also: Heatwave: Seven air-conditioned spaces and protective measures from the City of Athens
As a preventive measure, entry and presence of visitors, as well as vehicle access to Lycabettus Hill and Finopoulos Hill, are prohibited from midnight Tuesday until further notice. Additionally, the Contractors’ Registry has been activated to reinforce fire protection on Lycabettus Hill, with one water cannon vehicle and one 4×4 vehicle deployed, as well as at the City of Athens Campsites in Agios Andreas, Attica, where two water cannon vehicles and two 4×4 vehicles have been stationed.
City of Athens: Seven air-conditioned spaces remain open
Seven municipal Friendship Clubs will continue to operate from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. as air-conditioned spaces for residents.
Specifically:
1. Agios Pavlos Friendship Club, Mamouri 22 & Dymis. Tel: 210 8223946
2. “The Ascension of the Lord” Friendship Club, Neos Kosmos, Cheldreich 15. Tel: 210 9240403
3. Votanikos Friendship Club, Kozanis 4. Tel: 210 3423716
4. Kolokynthou Friendship Club, Aimonos 9 & Astrous. Tel: 210 5140877
5. Agios Eleftherios Friendship Club, Acharnon 372. Tel: 210 2012334
6. Kypseli Friendship Club, Skyrou & Kaukasos. Tel: 210 8815877
7. Ambelokipi Friendship Club, Panormos & Vatheos. Tel: 210 6459890
During the days of extreme heat, KYADA will supply the Friendship Clubs, the Multipurpose Homeless Center, and the Day Center with water, beverages, and special protection kits.
Special waste collection schedule
Given the extremely high temperatures, and for health and safety reasons, the municipality is urging residents and businesses not to place their waste in bins between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., in order to “avoid disruptions across the city and ensure the protection of public health and workers during periods of extreme heat.”
A special schedule will be implemented at the Athens Cleanliness and Recycling Directorate, under the responsibility of department heads, taking into account the operational needs of each department, staff and vehicle availability, and the need to maintain uninterrupted city services. Protecting the health and safety of workers remains the Directorate’s top priority, alongside ensuring the smooth operation of sanitation services.
The City of Athens continues to maintain heightened operational readiness. In detail:
●Teams from the Cleanliness and Green Spaces Directorates are on 24-hour standby, conducting regular patrols.
●The Municipal Police is monitoring green spaces and high-risk areas using ground units and drones equipped with thermal cameras for the immediate detection of critical temperature changes.
●Municipal water tankers remain on continuous standby.
●The Municipal Police Operations Center operates 24/7, in coordination with the Fire Service, relevant authorities, and other services and municipalities as needed.
To protect the homeless, the City of Athens Streetwork teams will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Social workers, nurses, and psychologists will distribute bottles of cool water, beverages, snacks, and essential protection kits.
For stray animals, the City of Athens Urban Fauna service has placed more than 130 water bowls throughout the capital’s neighborhoods, maintained by both city staff and volunteers. Residents are encouraged to help keep them filled with fresh, cool water. Care guidelines for pet owners and those looking after street animals during the high-temperature days are also available on the Urban Fauna social media pages. The Municipal Veterinary Clinic (94 Mesogeion Avenue & Trikalon) will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For inquiries, contact: 210 7483967.
1595: The 24-hour citizen helpline
Residents, and especially those belonging to vulnerable groups, can contact the 24-hour Citizen Service Line at 1595 (charges vary by provider) or at 2105287800. For medical advice and guidance on preventing and managing heat-related health issues, the “Heatwave Line” operated by the Multipurpose Municipal Medical Clinics is available at 210 3638049, daily from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The City of Athens is also adjusting the operation of its services with a focus on protecting workers from heat stress, in accordance with the guidelines of the relevant ministries and the prescribed protective measures.
Specifically, outdoor crews are withdrawn from the field during the hottest hours of the day (11:00–17:00), while work schedules are adjusted so that the most demanding tasks are carried out during cooler hours. Special consideration is also given to workers belonging to vulnerable groups, and all staff will be provided with the necessary personal protective equipment, cool water, and adequate breaks to ensure they can perform their duties safely.
Finally, the municipality urges residents to exercise particular caution and avoid any actions that could negligently cause a fire. For any matter, residents can contact the 24-hour Athens Citizen Service Line at 1595 (charges vary by provider).
