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Hellenic Fire Service

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Hellenic Fire Department
Πυροσβεστικό Σώμα
Pyrosvestiko Soma
File:CoA Hellenic Fire Service.svg
Fire Service overview
Formed1926 (1926)
Preceding Fire Service
  • Police Fire Brigade
JurisdictionGreece
HeadquartersAthens, Greece
MottoΘΑΡΣΕΙΝ ΣΩΖΕΙΝ (be brave and save)
Employees8,000
Fire Service executive
  • Lieutenant General Matthaiopoulos Vasileios, Commander in Chief
Websitewww.fireservice.gr

The Hellenic Fire Service (Greek: Πυροσβεστικό Σώμα) is the national agency of Greece for fire and rescue service. It is part of the Ministry for Citizen Protection.[1]

History

The Band of the Hellenic Fire Service in a parade.

In 1833, with the establishment of the Greek Kingdom, the fire responsibility was given to the individual prefectures and municipalities. In 1854 a Firemen Company (Λόχος Πυροσβεστών) was formed in Athens, as part of the Greek Army, expanded in 1861 into a two-company mixed sapper and firemen formation (Διλοχία Σκαπανέων και Πυροσβεστών). It was not until 1914 that the corps, now again known as Firemen Company and still under military control, was expanded to other cities outside Athens, covering also Thessaloniki, Patras and Piraeus.

In 1926, the Fire Service was formed as a separate branch within the military, but proved ineffective, so that in 1929, a Greek émigré from Russia, the former head of St Petersburg Fire Service Alkiviadis Kokkinakis, was tasked with reforming the service. In 1930, the Fire Service was reconstituted as an independent national authority under the Ministry of the Interior. Until 1975 the chiefs of the service were transferred from the Gendarmerie or the Cities Police.

From 1998 the Fire Service has also the responsibility for forest fires, taking over from the Forestry Service.

Operation

Astra HD7C 84-45 tow truck of the Fire Service of Greece.

Its mission is to provide safety for the citizens and their property. It operates during fires, forest fires, car accidents, other natural or man-made disasters and during rescue operations. Other duties include the collaboration with the other Greek security forces, prevention measures and information and/or education of the public. The various legal and regulatory texts describing the organization and operation of the Fire Service were codified in 1992 in Presidential Decree 210.[2]

Organization

HFS Super Puma helicopter SX-HFF
  1. The central body is located in Athens
  2. Regional Fire Services Administration
  3. Fire station of four grades (a,b,c,d) throughout the country
  4. Smaller fire stations (klimakia), plus voluntary fire stations and voluntary klimakia
  5. Special Units for disasters (EMAK)
  6. Special services:
    1. Firefighting Academy
    2. Coordinating Center (tel.199)
    3. General Warehouse Material
    4. Confrontation of arson crimes

Voluntary Corps

In 1991, a new Voluntary Corps was formed for volunteers[3][4] (today the 15% of the strength). Volunteers act as a support force and they have to be officially recognized and trained by the Greek state. The legal and regulatory framework for volunteers in the Hellenic Fire Service and the Hellenic Coast Guard was updated with Law 4029 in 2011.[5]

Equipment

Since the 1930s, the Fire Service has used more than 3,500 vehicles. Today it owns about 2,500 trucks and cars (1,500 fire engines and fire tenders, 800 auxiliary and 200 special), 44 firefighting aircraft, 20 helicopters (5 belonging to the House and 15 leased) and 10 firefighting vessels.

Training

The training takes place at the Firefighting Academy (Pyrosvestiki Akademia) which is located in Kato Kifissia (38°04′55″N 23°47′18″E / 38.081830°N 23.788287°E / 38.081830; 23.788287) with an annex at Villia Attikis. The first "Firefighting School" was established in 1936 at Sarri Street (an outpost of the 1st Fire Station) in Athens, while the Academy was established in 1968.

Ranks

Title Lieutenant General Major General Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant Colonel Fire Major Fire Captain Fire Lieutenant Fire Second Lieutenant
Greek Title Αντιστράτηγος Υποστράτηγος Αρχιπύραρχος Πύραρχος Αντιπύραρχος Επιπυραγός Πυραγός Υποπυραγός Ανθυποπυραγός
Insignia
Title Warrant officer (NCO) Sergeant Senior Firefighter Firefighter
Greek Title Πυρονόμος Αρχιπυροσβέστης Παραγωγικής Σχολής Αρχιπυροσβέστης Μη Παραγωγικής Σχολής Πυροσβέστης
Insignia
  • Old TEMAX fire-fighting vehicle
    Old TEMAX fire-fighting vehicle
  • Fire in ultra-high voltage transformer
    Fire in ultra-high voltage transformer
  • Fire station in Thessaloniki
    Fire station in Thessaloniki
  • HFS automobile
    HFS automobile
  • HFS Jeep
    HFS Jeep
  • HFS vehicle
    HFS vehicle
  • ELVO fire engine
    ELVO fire engine
  • TEMAX fire engine
    TEMAX fire engine
  • A Mil Mi-26TC in firefighter role in action
    A Mil Mi-26TC in firefighter role in action

See also

Notes and references

  1. ^ Αποστολή - Αρμοδιότητες (
  2. ^ Presidential Decree 210, Government Gazette A 99, 1992-06-16
  3. ^ Ο Θεσμός του Εθελοντή Πυροσβέστη,Πυροσβεστικό Σώμα (www.fireservice.gr)[1]
  4. ^ "Νομοθεσία - Διαταγές,Π.Ε.Ε.Π.Σ. (http://www.vfu.gr/law.html)". Archived from the original on 2012-01-28. Retrieved 2014-03-26. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  5. ^ Law 4029, Government Gazette A 245, 2011-11-22
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