Civil Protection’s fire boat remains unused at Marina Gouvia
fire boat
13 Sep 2022
/ 19:32
CORFU. Although the vessel was very close when the fire happened, it did not intervene at all.
Civil Protection's new fire boat, which is anchored at Marina Gouvia, remains unused. It is an inflatable boat with a fire pump and, according to the Firefighters Union, it is not even included in the intervention plans.
This was also confirmed recently in the fire at Gouvia Marina. Although it was very close when it happened, the rubber dinghy did not intervene at all, neither for firefighting nor for any other supporting action.
The Corfu Firefighters Union President Nikos Karatarakis, who participated in extinguishing the fire, told Enimerosi: "I was at the fire and I noticed myself that it did not intervene at all."
He also added that the vessel is not included in the intervention plans drawn up each year before the fire ban period by the Fire Service in cooperation with the Central Corfu Municipality and the Ionian Islands Region. According to him, the vessel has never been used in a fire-fighting operation.
The Civil Protection was present
"The boat was at the marina and the Civil Protection was present (with water tankers). We have questions: What is the purpose of the boat, if not for firefighting or for use in emergency cases?"
As Nikos Karatarakis said, it remains tied up in the sea, with all the damage that this entails. "If the Municipality is unable to operate and handle it, there are volunteer rescue teams that could use it. We do not know why it is in the marina, but it could also serve as a boat for emergencies, in Vidos for example, where there are children in the summer, or in Lazaretto," he added.
Documents of the Firefighters Union
These are exactly the questions that the Corfu Firefighters Union is asking with a document sent to the Central Corfu Municipality and all political parties of the Municipal Council.
At the same time, an official document on the same issue has been sent to the Fire Department administration.
In particular, clarification is sought on the purpose and use of the vessel and whether it has been included in the intervention plans.
And most important of all: if this vessel is considered to belong to the Civil Protection, why did it not contribute to fire incidents?
This was also confirmed recently in the fire at Gouvia Marina. Although it was very close when it happened, the rubber dinghy did not intervene at all, neither for firefighting nor for any other supporting action.
The Corfu Firefighters Union President Nikos Karatarakis, who participated in extinguishing the fire, told Enimerosi: "I was at the fire and I noticed myself that it did not intervene at all."
He also added that the vessel is not included in the intervention plans drawn up each year before the fire ban period by the Fire Service in cooperation with the Central Corfu Municipality and the Ionian Islands Region. According to him, the vessel has never been used in a fire-fighting operation.
The Civil Protection was present
"The boat was at the marina and the Civil Protection was present (with water tankers). We have questions: What is the purpose of the boat, if not for firefighting or for use in emergency cases?"
As Nikos Karatarakis said, it remains tied up in the sea, with all the damage that this entails. "If the Municipality is unable to operate and handle it, there are volunteer rescue teams that could use it. We do not know why it is in the marina, but it could also serve as a boat for emergencies, in Vidos for example, where there are children in the summer, or in Lazaretto," he added.
Documents of the Firefighters Union
These are exactly the questions that the Corfu Firefighters Union is asking with a document sent to the Central Corfu Municipality and all political parties of the Municipal Council.
At the same time, an official document on the same issue has been sent to the Fire Department administration.
In particular, clarification is sought on the purpose and use of the vessel and whether it has been included in the intervention plans.
And most important of all: if this vessel is considered to belong to the Civil Protection, why did it not contribute to fire incidents?
