One week ago, the first images of the fire that broke out in Ano Glyfada did not in any way foretell that this fire would emerge in the first major crash test for the state mechanism this summer, after last year’s “accident” with the fires in Varybobi and Evia. And yet, the several beauforts turned the fire towards Voula, resulting in the first strong battle of this summer. The government, however, emphasizes that last year’s suffering became a lesson, hence this year’s planning in the axis of Civil Protection – Police – Army is extremely detailed. There is, of course, no other kind of alarm, that of arson – and even with geopolitical features.
The Armed Forces are also on full alert to prevent and deal with fires. As for the available air means, more than 30 firefighting planes and helicopters are available and in fact several of them are ready to take action within twenty minutes.
In addition, more than 70 earthmoving machines have been distributed throughout the country, under the “Defkalion” project, while about 200 earthmoving machines and firefighting vehicles of all three branches of the Armed Forces in the areas of responsibility of the 1st Army, ASDYS and ASDEN, are ready to take action within a few hours under the “Xenocrates” plan.
However, indicative of the importance that GEETHA gives in order for the country to win the informal war of forest fires is the large number of personnel that have already been “recruited” on this front. According to information, more than 300 people have been mobilized in Attica, Thessaloniki, Thessaly, Peloponnese and Crete, with readiness to take action within four hours, maximum. At the same time, in shifts they “scan” the forest areas over 217 pedestrians and on-board fire patrols, while in action within 30 minutes are selected units that form the specialized firefighting and rescue teams of the Armed Forces, which are staffed by trained rescuers. with special boats.
Finally, in case the activation of the “Xenokratis” plan is required, GEETHA will throw into battle almost 3,000 people within the first two hours, while an additional 3,000 will follow who will take action – at most – within 6 hours from the moment it is given the relevant order.
The figures, according to competent sources, show the determination of the Armed Forces to win the informal “war” of fires, even in a period of heightened Turkish provocation.
