Fire Department and Police acquire new equipment to help deal with natural disasters
CORFU. Drones, tablets and pumps were delivered to the Fire Department and the Police by the Ionian Islands Regional Governor, as part of a disaster prevention and response programme.
Valuable technological tools for the prevention and response to natural disasters have been acquired by the Fire Department and Police as part of the "Laertes" programme, which is funded by the Ionian Islands Regional Businessl Programme (PEP).
Today, Regional Governor Rodi Kratsa delivered the equipment for sub-projects 13 and 16 of the Civil Protection Programme to Corfu Police Headquarters and the Fire Department, while in the coming days, the delivery will be made to the Coast Guard (Corfu Central Port Authority).
80 tablets were delivered to the Police, 20 for each Regional Unit, as well as eight drones, two for each Regional Unit.
60 tablets were delivered to the Fire Department, 15 for each Regional Unit, eight drones, two for each Regional Unit, and eight water pumps, two for each Regional Unit.
"It is both a symbolic and practical act because it will contribute to the reinforcement of the Civil Protection Services equipment," said Regional Governor Rodi Kratsa. "The needs are increasing, and we are open to noting the proposals of the administrations and the staff."
"The equipment will enhance the operational readiness of our services," said Ionian Islands Police Chief Georgios Vassiliou, warmly thanking the Ionian Islands Regional Administration.
Threefold method for success
Regional Fire Chief Nikos Kolovos stressed that technology is an added value in achieving the best possible results.
"Drones are devices that can be used not only for firefighting but also for search and rescue in cases of missing persons. We are entering a new era with artificial intelligence. Athens Civil Protection Service has already begun to implement the threefold method for successful firefighting in practice: Detection - Notification - Response.
"Let us not forget that the one who extinguishes the fire is the firefighter, but the speed of detection plays a crucial role," concluded Nikos Kolovos, thanking the Regional Administration and all those who worked for the implementation of the European programme once again.
"Laertes" Programme
The "Laertes" initiative, with a total budget of 2,807,269 Euros, focuses on prevention and response to floods, wildfires and soil erosion in the Ionian Islands Region. It includes provisions for the procurement of specialised software, the installation of specialised early warning equipment, the supply of support vehicles (firefighting vehicles for the municipalities of the Region), the provision of equipment for volunteer teams in the Ionian Islands Region, and public awareness activities, among others.
Given the intensity of natural events affecting the Ionian Islands region, the programme contributes to addressing the need for the protection of infrastructure and the entire population from climate change and the accompanying natural hazards.
The implementation of the initiative involves the Ionian University, the National Capodistrian University of Athens, the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organisation, the Geodynamics Institute, Corfu Technical Chamber, and the Ionian Islands Regional Association of Municipalities, with the Ionian Islands Region as the primary beneficiary, based on programme contracts.
CHRISTINA GEREKOU
