Emergency Coordination Council convenes in Gümülcine
The Emergency Coordination Council of Gümülcine Municipality met on Wednesday, September 26, with the main agenda focusing on civil protection planning and actions for the 2025–2026 period.
The meeting was chaired by Komotini’s Civil Protection Officer, Themis Tzenetidis, with participation from Civil Protection Unit Director Dimos Eutihakos. Officials reviewed past municipal actions and discussed detailed measures to address potential floods, snowfalls, and frost events.
Participants included Rodopi Fire Service Director Athanasios Arampatzidis, Komotini Fire Chief Leonidas Tsiaras, Komotini Police Chief Yannis Makidis, Traffic Division Head Anna Tahtazi, Captain Nikolaos Kaloudis of the 21st Armored Brigade, Rodopi Forestry Department Head Marina Gotzaridou, Regional Civil Protection Representative Apostolos Tomzas, Porto Lagos Port Authority’s Ioannis Valasidis, EKAB emergency services head Ioannis Vasileiadis, as well as Red Cross volunteers and the Komotini Search and Rescue Team.
Fire Chief Arampatzidis stressed that despite the ongoing fire season, vigilance remains necessary, warning that heavy rainfall following prolonged drought could quickly trigger flooding. Traffic Division Head Tahtazi highlighted risks at “Irish crossings”—low-water bridges across streams—that can become deadly during floods.
Tzenetidis, on behalf of Mayor Yannis Garanis, assured that all municipal units would be fully staffed and equipped for the winter season. Garanis emphasized that the Water and Sewerage Authority (DEYAK), Civil Protection Unit, Technical Services, Environmental & Sanitation Department, Recycling, and Social Policy directorates are all on alert.
The mayor also noted that under the eOutland program, the municipality has secured a multi-functional mobile unit for flood and extreme weather response, along with a 4×4 water pump vehicle, to be operated by the Search and Rescue Team. The Red Cross will also provide support with trained rescue teams and specialized equipment.
Authorities urged citizens to avoid Irish crossings during extreme weather and to strictly follow official warnings.
