The Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Giannis Kefalogiannis, sent a message of support for the fire service during the handover ceremony of 164 new vehicles to the Fire Service, held at OAKA on Friday (18/7), in the presence of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
“These vehicles improve response time to fires. They are part of the AIGIS program to support firefighters by enhancing their safety and operational capacity. By 2025, we will receive 296 vehicles and in 2026 another 331 with funds from the Recovery Fund. By the end of AIGIS, the Fire Service will have 1,400 new vehicles,” the minister emphasized.
“Civil Protection is not just a public service, it is the face of the State in the toughest battles. It is the institution that when others retreat due to conditions, it appears,” added Mr. Kefalogiannis. “That’s why we must be organized and consistent,” he concluded.
Kefalogiannis: Civil Protection placed at the center of national strategy
Civil Protection becomes a system of prevention and early response. It evolves into an interoperable mechanism. It is placed at the center of national strategy and on this path we have as allies our European partners, local communities and the men and women of the fire service, concluded Mr. Kefalogiannis.
Hadja Lahbib: “Greece is not alone, it has shown that solidarity is not an empty word – Thank you for your leading role in Europe”
The event was also attended by European Commissioner for Equality and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, who in her speech initially stated that “Europe is the fastest warming continent on the planet. We take these threats seriously. These vehicles being delivered today prove it. Greece is not alone. You are part of Europe’s Civil Protection family.”
“These vehicles are not only fully equipped but constitute a sign of solidarity. These vehicles prove what preparedness means. Greece has shown that solidarity is not an empty word. You have responded since 2016 to 21 requests for assistance in fires and only 3 this month for neighboring countries,” added the European Commissioner.
“Thank you for your leading role in Europe,” she concluded.
