On Monday 20 May 2024, the Deputy Minister of National Defence Mr. Giannis Kefalogiannis held a meeting with the competent Vice Regional Governors, Regional Advisors and Appointed Advisors of the 13 Regions, regarding the contribution of the Armed Forces in matters of civil protection, which took place in the Ministry of National Defence, in the light of the firefighting period.

The Deputy Minister of National Defence referred to the establishment of the Construction and Natural Disaster Relief Command. The Command is responsible for the centralised employment of the personnel and assets of the Armed Forces and within a short time period from the occurrence of an event, it is capable to send forth the necessary and suitable forces to support the work of the Civil Protection.

Mr. Kefalogiannis, by outlining the general principles of the operation of the Construction and Natural Disaster Relief Command, pointed out its supportive role towards civil protection, since it concerns the contribution of the Fire Service forces, which by mission has the responsibility of coordinating the actions and management of a fire. The personnel and assets available by the Armed Forces are responsibility of the Fire Service and the Civil Protection General Secretariat and they are granted upon request of the Fire Service.

The Deputy Minister referred to the organisation framework of the Construction and Natural Disasters Relief Command which provides for the appointment of experienced liaisons with the Fire Service, who, upon realising the event or submitting the request, will proceed with the reconnaissance of the suitable force, in terms of quantity and quality, for the mission.

Finally, Mr. Kefalogiannis thanked the representatives of the Regions for the presence, aiming to set the foundation of a good cooperation between the Armed Forces and the Regions in matters of civil protection.