We want Greek citizens to feel safe, State Mi.n Vernardakis says ahead of high fire risk season

State Minister Christoforos Vernardakis visited on Thursday the Coordination and Operation Centre of the Fire Brigade in order to be briefed on the preparations ahead of the high fire risk period.

Vernardakis was given a tour of the three operation centres and talked with the general secretary of civil protection Yiannis Taffylis, the chief of the Fire Brigade Vassilis Matheopoulos and other officers on the preparations.

"The preparedness is at extremely high level and our aim is for everyone to feel safe and to know that whatever happens, we are ready to face any difficulties," Vernardakis stated. "Of course, there are still many things that can be and will be done. We talked about all outstanding requests (...) From now on we will have major and unexpected disasters as a result of climate change, but I believe that the level of preparedness is very good. We have a significant improvement," in all sectors, he added.

On his part, Tafyllis asserted the government will do whatever possible so that citizens fear safe ahead of any natural hazards. The disaster-response mechanism is in the final stage of preparations, he said, and the final distribution and arrangement of firefighting planes will be ready by the start of next week. On the European Emergency Number 112, Tafyllis said that the project is completed and at the pilot trial stage, but can be put to use if need be right now.