Volunteer fire crews to get €1,000 each from interior ministry
The fire service says every volunteer firefighting team will receive €1,000 in state support, with the money expected to be paid out early next year.
Every volunteer firefighting team will get €1,000 from the interior ministry, the fire service said on Thursday, adding that the payments should go out early next year. The decision was confirmed during talks with representatives of organised volunteer groups, part of a review of this year's fire season and planning for the next one.
The meetings took place over the past three days at the initiative of fire chief Nikos Longinos. According to the fire service, the funding stems from a recommendation by Archbishop Georgios and is meant to bolster the work of volunteer crews.
Volunteers used the sessions to offer suggestions drawn from their experience this season, while those taking part looked at ways to tighten cooperation, organisation and readiness. Longinos thanked the volunteers for working alongside the fire service and for helping to fight fires and protect lives, property and the environment.
What it means for residents
The €1,000 is modest, but it is a signal that volunteer crews are being folded into official planning rather than left to improvise. For communities near forests and dry hillsides, that can matter more than the sum itself.
- Timing: the money arrives early next year, so it will not help with any costs already incurred this season.
- Preparedness: the talks focused on coordination and readiness, which is where residents usually feel the difference when a fire breaks out.
- Join up: if you have been thinking about volunteering, this is a good moment to contact your local crew and ask what training and equipment they need.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
