EUROPEAN COMMISSION

PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 17 June 2012

EU Civil Protection Mechanism supports Greece in

combating fires raging in Southern Attica
Greece last night (16 June) activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The
country is facing serious forest fires raging close to Keratea, South Attica. The
fires are threatening residential areas. Greece needs fire fighting modules
consisting of Canadair CL/415 fire bombers to support their own forces engaged in
the campaign.
Within 39 minutes, the European Commission's Monitoring and Information
Centre (MIC) was able to make a first offer to Greece coming from the Italian Civil
Protection Department. 2 Italian Canadairs with 10 crew left from Ciampino
airbase this morning. Bulgaria has also offered a fire-fighting helicopter. In a first
gesture of solidarity through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, new member of
the mechanism Croatia has also offered one fire-fighting jet to Greece.
"Greece can count on Europe's support in these difficult times. Our Monitoring and
Information Centre is helping to coordinate the European assistance in the crucial
hours and days ahead. I am grateful to our Italian colleagues for this swift
demonstration of solidarity said Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for
International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response.
Following the request for assistance, the Brussels-based Monitoring and
Information Centre immediately made contact with all Member States that have
such aerial assets. Greece accepted the offer of Italy. The Italian fire fighting
module left its base in the morning of 17 June.

IP/12/617

Background
The European Civil Protection Mechanism facilitates cooperation in disaster
response among 32 European states (EU-27 plus Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein,
Norway and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia). The participating
countries pool the resources that can be made available to disaster-stricken
countries all over the world. When activated, the Mechanism coordinates the
provision of assistance inside and outside the European Union. The European
Commission manages the Mechanism through the Monitoring and Information
Centre (MIC).
Since 2001, the CPM has reacted to more than a hundred disasters worldwide,
among them Hurricane Katrina in the USA (2005), earthquake in China (2008)
and Italy (2009), earthquake in Haiti (2010) and earthquake/tsunami in Japan
(2011). In the past two forest fire seasons the Civil Protection Mechanism (CPM)
was activated 20 times for forest fires inside and outside Europe.
For more information
http://ec.europa.eu/echo/civil_protection/civil/index.htm

Contacts :
David Sharrock (+32 2 296 89 09)
Irina Novakova (+32 2 295 75 17)