Hundreds of seasonal firefighters protested outside Greece’s Civil Protection Ministry on October 31, 2024, demanding permanent contracts as their seasonal employment ended following a harsh wildfire season. Union leaders argue that climate change necessitates year-round firefighting capabilities as fire risks extend beyond summer months. Many experienced firefighters were barred from applying for permanent positions due to age restrictions. Greece contends with a pressing need for effective firefighting adaptations amidst increasingly severe wildfires.
On Thursday, October 31, 2024, hundreds of seasonal firefighters protested outside Greece’s Civil Protection Ministry, advocating for permanent employment contracts as their seasonal positions came to an end. Many of the demonstrators donned their tan and red uniforms, accompanied by the sounds of whistles and aerosol horns, while waving Greek flags. These individuals represent approximately 2,500 firefighters who became unemployed at the conclusion of the intense wildfire season, with the prospect of being re-hired in May of the following year. The union representatives articulated their concerns, asserting that the impacts of climate change have extended the fire risk in Greece beyond the summer months, necessitating the establishment of a year-round firefighting force. Reports from the European Union’s wildfire monitoring service highlighted that the 2023 fire season led to an astonishing 1,747 square kilometers (675 square miles) of land being consumed by flames, a figure significantly exceeding the average from previous years. This year’s estimated damages alone encompass 410 square kilometers (158 square miles) and include a significant blaze that threatened the outskirts of Athens. Evangelos Tsoukalas, the President of the Seasonal Firefighters’ Association of Greece, expressed frustration over the restrictions on applying for specific firefighting roles due to an age limit set at 35 years, particularly impacting those with six or more years of experience. “There is an age cut-off (for those positions). And now our contracts are up, so we are being thrown out as seasonal firefighters,” Tsoukalas reported. While the typical employment period for seasonal firefighters ranges from May to October, union officials contend that their accrued experience is vital as Greece faces increasingly severe wildfires. The Greek government has yet to respond to these calls for permanent employment, even as the nation grapples with adapting its firefighting strategies to address the rising frequency and intensity of wildfires. According to preliminary data from the National Observatory of Athens, June and July were recorded as the hottest months in Greece’s history.
Greece has been experiencing prolonged and intense wildfire seasons exacerbated by climate change, leading to extensive damage annually. Seasonal firefighters, who are engaged from May through October, face rising calls for permanent employment due to the increasingly year-round nature of fire risk. The 2023 fire season was particularly severe, prompting protests from seasonal firefighters who are now advocating for more stable job security as their temporary contracts expire after each season. The Greek government has yet to address the challenges presented by these sustained environmental conditions, and the need for an experienced fire service is more pressing than ever.
The recent protest by seasonal firefighters in Greece underscores the urgent need for permanent positions within the firefighting service as wildfires become a year-round concern due to climate change. With their contracts expiring following a particularly devastating fire season, these firefighters are advocating for job security and recognition of their vital role in combating wildfires. The government’s response to such demands will be pivotal in shaping Greece’s firefighting capabilities in the future as it continues to face the escalating threat posed by wildfires.
Original Source: apnews.com
