“We are at the heart of the fire season that proves to be one of the most demanding with the climate crisis raging. That is why the State is deploying the most forces we have ever had. 18,000 permanent and seasonal firefighters, 1,800 forest commandos. I warmly thank the European countries that stand by our side,” the Prime Minister initially stated.
“We have at our disposal 85 aircraft, over 80 drones and thousands of vehicles of all types.” “These vehicles are 1/10 of the 1,400 vehicles that will strengthen the Fire Service through the AEGIS program,” Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized.
They constitute proof that daily our country progresses and takes steps forward following a plan that with dedication finally pays off. I want to remind you where Civil Protection was in 2019 and where it is today, the Prime Minister continued. Prevention is what effectively tackles fires, our firefighters tell us that forest fires are extinguished in winter. We have spent over 400 million euros on forest cleaning and opening firebreaks so that summer fires have a less catastrophic impact.
The AEGIS program worth 2.1 billion euros has been designed so that we are protagonists in Europe in Civil Protection structures.
In the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the ceremony for the delivery of 164 new vehicles to the Fire Service is taking place at OAKA. The Prime Minister was welcomed by Civil Protection Minister Yannis Kefalogiannis and Fire Service Chief Lieutenant General Theodoros Vagias, while the European Commissioner for Equality and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, is also present at the event.
