Civil Protection Minister Details Summer Firefighting Plans at Delphi Forum

At the 10th Delphi Economic Forum, Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Yiannis Kefalogiannis discussed Greece’s plans for the upcoming fire season.

Kefalogiannis highlighted efforts to strengthen civil protection, including the National Crisis Management and Risk Response Mechanism, which aims to protect citizens, infrastructure, and vital services from natural and technological disasters.

Kefalogiannis also focused on the AEGIS program, a funding program center to the country’s civil protection strategy. He announced funding for the upgrade of firefighting aircraft and the purchase of seven new Canadair planes. Additionally, 49 aerial firefighting vehicles and 80 drones are being deployed for surveillance and firefighting, with a goal to increase the number of drones to 120.

“A difficult summer is coming. It is our duty, with the help of citizens and volunteers, to deal with the phenomenon,” Kefalogiannis said, acknowledging the challenges posed by the climate crisis. The AEGIS program also includes investments in infrastructure, warning systems, and operational equipment.

The minister stated that authorities have doubled resources for local authorities to clean public spaces and asserteed that the government has intensified efforts to combat arson, citing an increase in arrests last year.

Kefalogiannis stated that the government was ready to provide coordinated state response during disasters. “When a natural disaster occurs, we want the citizen to know that the state is by his side,” he said.