Corfu Fire Department earthquake and fire exercise

Corfu Fire Department carried out the annual "Seisichthon" earthquake-fire drill this morning. The exercise, which took place at the NASKE building in the New Fortress, simulated a fire outbreak following an earthquake, as well as the entrapment and rescue of two individuals.

Five vehicles, a specialised rescue arm vehicle, and 15 firefighters participated. The Ambulance Service, Police and Civil Protection Service were also involved.

According to the Corfu Fire Chief, Nikos Kollas, the exercise was successful and stated that it was part of the Fire Department annual drills, not due to the prediction of an earthquake or any other natural disaster.

Also present was the Central Corfu Deputy Mayor of Everyday Life Services, Takis Theotokis.

The main objectives of the exercise were the implementation of disaster management planning with the assistance of involved authorities, services, and other bodies in order to evaluate:

• Disaster management plans and existing rescue procedures.
• The level of cooperation and coordination among involved authorities.
• The operational readiness and effectiveness of personnel.
• The mobilisation time of available firefighting resources of the Fire Service, Local Government Organisations, and other involved bodies and services.