Wildfires Response Extraordinary Programme | 2023

In the aftermath of the wildfires that struck Greece in August 2021, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation implemented an emergency grants programme aimed at contributing to the long-term upgrading of prevention and firefighting mechanisms for wildfires, enhancing national fire readiness, providing immediate relief to those affected, and restoring the fire-stricken areas. Through thorough investigation and prioritization of existing needs, the Foundation decided to implement a comprehensive bundle of targeted interventions along three areas: Prevention/Repression, Restoration, and Relief for fire-stricken areas. In this light, within 2023, the Foundation put into action the following grants:

I. Donation to the Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection consisting in the rental of 23 personnel transport vehicles, which enhanced the forest firefighting capacity and met the operational needs of the Hellenic Fire Service personnel during the 2023 fire season, allowing them to carry out their work in a safe and effective way, which is further challenged amid climate crisis conditions. The vehicles were allocated to Fire Service Stations across the country, with emphasis being placed on high-risk areas or areas with special fire protection needs, and contributed to the immediate transfer of EMODE forces (Special Forestry Operations Units – “Forest Commandos”) and EMAK forces (Special Disaster Response Units), as well as ground units, to the operation sites.

II. Donation for the implementation of the “Support Programme for Volunteer Forest Firefighter Teams” an initiative by NPF Desmos, WWF Greece and HIGGS that aims at training, strengthening and supporting forest firefighter teams in the prevention and response to forest fires and the protection of the natural regeneration of forests. The Programme, which was also supported by the Athina I. Martinou Foundation and the National Bank of Greece, was completed in April 2024 and included a series of training workshops aimed at providing volunteers with the required specialised knowledge, as well as an integrated plan to cover their needs in terms of equipment. These volunteer teams are consistently at the forefront of forest fires, constituting a key part of the forest fire protection mechanism and making crucial contributions to the work of the relevant state authorities. Operating throughout Greece, the volunteer teams work closely with the Hellenic Fire Service, while 47 out of the 50 teams supported through the Programme played a pivotal role in responding to the fires that occurred in Attica, Rhodes, and Evros in 2023.

• From the start of the Programme, in April 2022, until December 2023, 4,009 volunteer forest firefighters across Greece received support.
• 50 volunteer forest firefighter teams operating across the country received support in terms of equipment.
• 85 volunteer forest firefighter teams and 447 volunteer forest firefighters received training through specialised workshops.

“We received material support, namely firefighting uniforms, helmets, gloves and radios that we needed so much. Participation in and attendance at training workshops on how to prevent and respond to forest fires, along with said supply of material equipment, will help our volunteers to operate more effectively while remaining safe when participating in forest firefighting actions in the future.”

Michalis Kapetanakis

President, “Ena” Volunteer Civil Protection Team of the Association of Three Monasteries of the Municipality of Rethymnon

“It is a great pleasure and an honour for our team, and even more so for our homeland, to receive material support from the ‘Support Programme for Volunteer Forest Fire Protection Teams’. It provides us with the opportunity to continue doing what we love, what was the trigger for the creation of our team, what is our way of living: to serve our homeland as volunteers. This is the first time our contribution has received active appreciation, the first time that words have turned into actions; we would therefore like to thank you warmly and to assure you that we will put your support to good use.”

Panagiotis Englezos

President, Salakos Volunteer Disaster Response Team, Rhodes

II. Donation to the non-profit foundation DESMOS, in response to the urgent needs that emerged during the demanding fire season of 2023, aimed at providing equipment to volunteer forest firefighter teams. Through the donation, the volunteer forest firefighter teams received essential firefighting consumables, such as new hoses and spray nozzles, which significantly contributed to their preparedness and effective suppression of forest fires.

• Through the emergency donation to NPF DESMOS, 4 teams of volunteer forest firefighters in Rhodes, Evia and Magnesia received support in equipment, furthering the effort of 107 active volunteer forest firefighters.

“This donation has helped us significantly to cover our basic needs and continue to offer consistently and safely our volunteer services to our fellow citizens during the past fire season, but also during the upcoming seasons. We sincerely thank you.”

Dimitrios Kaloupis

President, Association of Volunteer Forest Protection and Rescue Forces of Karystos

III. Following its founding donation for the establishment and operation of the Salvia Burn Association NPO, the only specialised organisation for burns and burn victims in Greece, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation supported the operation and activities of the organisation throughout the year 2023. The organisation was created on the initiative of two volunteer residents from Mati, Alexis Andronopoulos and Marina Karyda, in response to their actions to support burn victims of the July 2018 wildfire. The organisation carries out activities in four areas: support for burn victims, burn prevention, advocacy, and support for Health Units to improve their care and rehabilitation services for burn victims in Greece. In the prevention area, Salvia has developed two educational and awareness programmes approved by the Ministry of Education for 5th grade elementary students, which were piloted in schools in Attica and children’s camps in the Municipality of Athens in 2023. Furthermore, it continues to support and empower burn victims throughout the challenging journey of treatment, recovery and rehabilitation, offering a comprehensive programme of psychological, legal and socio-economic support, as well as a safe framework for mutual support and networking with other burn victims. In 2023, an event was held to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the establishment of the National Burns Prevention Day (December 16th); during this event the photo exhibition “Burn! Making the ‘invisible’ visible” by Panos Zoulakis was inaugurated, which highlights in an encouraging way the strength of burn victims in the painful journey of rehabilitation.

• More than 120 burn victims have been supported through the organisation’s activities, since its establishment in 2021.
• 4,000 burn victims and 85 deaths are recorded annually as a result of the 25,000 urban fires that occur every year in Greece.

“If I had known, it wouldn’t have happened. Because of alcohol. I went to light up the stove and it backfired. The flame follows back the line of liquid, enters the bottle and explodes in my hands. During this extremely suffering that I am going through, Salvia is a companion in my life that has become my second family. They have been by my side since the beginning, and they remain forever. They have helped me a lot.”

Andriela Gjoka

Burn Victim

IV. Donation in support of the research and educational programme “Blood Donation 365”, implemented by the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the Blood Donation Unit of the “Aretaieio” University Hospital. Recognising that the Health Sector is a crucial link in the management of any emergency situation, the Foundation supported this Programme, which aims to develop an integrated strategic communication plan for the attraction, retention and awareness of volunteer blood donors in Greece through innovative practices. As part of the initiative, a comprehensive awareness campaign was created, providing all the necessary information to eliminate fear regarding volunteer blood donation, with the goal of creating a new generation of conscious blood donors who will approach and motivate potential volunteer blood donors. At the same time, the educational programme approved by the Ministry of Education was implemented, aimed at informing high school students in order to adopt the mindset of giving and repeated blood donation. Furthermore, the Appointment Booking Online Platform was designed and put into operation, significantly facilitating the process of participation for interested blood donors in scheduled blood donations. Finally, volunteer blood donation events were organised and an educational conference was held for health visitors and volunteer blood donor recruiters.

• In the framework of the Programme, 1,800 people participated in awareness-raising activities and volunteer blood donations and 1,250 high school students from 17 schools were trained.
• 480 units of blood were collected during the 10 blood donations that took place.

“My daily communication with the Blood Donation Centres in Greece confirmed -first of all- the need for the development of an Appointment Booking Online Platform. Through the “Blood Donation 365” initiative, a user-friendly platform was designed and created, which can be used by all 94 Blood Donation Centres, while also offering a secure way for those interested to schedule the blood donation appointments at a date and time of their choice. Our digital vision does not stop here – we will continue to invest in technology across all our activities, aiming to further improve the experience of volunteer blood donors and Blood Donation Centres.”

Dimitris Korakakis

Medical and Biology Laboratory Assistant, “Aretaieio” University