Fire Department has final word for property in Vraganiotika
Fire Department
15 Feb 2023
/ 23:36
CORFU. The South Corfu Municipal Council unanimously approved the leasing of the property.
The South Corfu Municipal Council unanimously approved on Monday the leasing of the building that will house the South Corfu Fire Department.
Of the two offered properties, the more suitable was judged to be the former Vraganiotika school. However, the Municipality can only lease about 1/3 of the building, which is approximately 110sq.m., at €850 a month.
Statement from Firefighters Union
Members of the Corfu Firefighters Union were present at the meeting and made a statement regarding the necessity of the existence of a fire station in South Corfu.
Since the closure of the Argyrades fire station last November, the firefighters faced difficult working conditions, as they were initially housed in a trailer at Lefkimmi Port and then in a 20sq.m. building in Messonghi belonging to former Lefkimmi DEYAK, where they are still until today.
As the Corfu Firefighters Union President Nikos Karatarakis told Enimerosi, the presence of the Fire Department is of great importance, not only for fires but also for natural disasters or accidents.
He reminded the role that the South Corfu Fire Department played in the major floods caused by Ballos, as firefighters from Central Corfu were not able to go to the area.
He also referred to internal issues that exist now, as there is a risk of losing positions, since the firefighters of the Argyrades fire station that had closed have been transferred to another fire station that now seems to be overcrowded.
Concerned
As stated at the Municipal Council meeting, the firefighters are positive about the property found to house the Fire Department, but they are concerned about whether the size of the property will fulfill the specifications.
However, the South Corfu Mayor Kostas Lessis said that the lease contract will last for one year, during which time another property will be sought, if necessary.
According to the municipality, it has been proposed to permanently relocate the fire station in a building in Argyrades, where municipal services are currently operating, when they will be transferred to the new Town Hall.
The final word
The Fire Department has now the final word, as it will express its opinion on the offered space in Vraganiotika, on which will depend whether the go-ahead for the new property will finally be given.
The members of the Firefighters Union, however, pointed out that it is important that there will be communication and understanding with the Municipality. "We will be supportive of any effort by the Municipality in order to permanently solve this issue," said the Firefighters Union President.
Of the two offered properties, the more suitable was judged to be the former Vraganiotika school. However, the Municipality can only lease about 1/3 of the building, which is approximately 110sq.m., at €850 a month.
Statement from Firefighters Union
Members of the Corfu Firefighters Union were present at the meeting and made a statement regarding the necessity of the existence of a fire station in South Corfu.
Since the closure of the Argyrades fire station last November, the firefighters faced difficult working conditions, as they were initially housed in a trailer at Lefkimmi Port and then in a 20sq.m. building in Messonghi belonging to former Lefkimmi DEYAK, where they are still until today.
As the Corfu Firefighters Union President Nikos Karatarakis told Enimerosi, the presence of the Fire Department is of great importance, not only for fires but also for natural disasters or accidents.
He reminded the role that the South Corfu Fire Department played in the major floods caused by Ballos, as firefighters from Central Corfu were not able to go to the area.
He also referred to internal issues that exist now, as there is a risk of losing positions, since the firefighters of the Argyrades fire station that had closed have been transferred to another fire station that now seems to be overcrowded.
Concerned
As stated at the Municipal Council meeting, the firefighters are positive about the property found to house the Fire Department, but they are concerned about whether the size of the property will fulfill the specifications.
However, the South Corfu Mayor Kostas Lessis said that the lease contract will last for one year, during which time another property will be sought, if necessary.
According to the municipality, it has been proposed to permanently relocate the fire station in a building in Argyrades, where municipal services are currently operating, when they will be transferred to the new Town Hall.
The final word
The Fire Department has now the final word, as it will express its opinion on the offered space in Vraganiotika, on which will depend whether the go-ahead for the new property will finally be given.
The members of the Firefighters Union, however, pointed out that it is important that there will be communication and understanding with the Municipality. "We will be supportive of any effort by the Municipality in order to permanently solve this issue," said the Firefighters Union President.
