MP Hüseyin Zeybek warns of firefighting staff shortages in Northern Greece
Zeybek criticized the response provided by the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, stating that it lacked concrete solutions and a clear timeline to address the issue. He argued that the ministry relied on general statements and statistical data while failing to tackle the root of the problem.
According to Zeybek, many fire service units in the region are operating below required staffing levels, significantly weakening their emergency response capacity. He emphasized that understaffed teams lead to longer response times and make it increasingly difficult to handle multiple incidents simultaneously—particularly in a region prone to wildfires.
Highlighting the severity of the shortage, Zeybek noted that in some areas staffing gaps have reached up to 30 percent. In the city of Kavala, for example, the number of personnel reportedly dropped from 69 in 2017 to just 35 in 2026.
He called for immediate action, including full transparency on the actual scale of the staffing deficit, a clear recruitment timeline, and urgent reinforcements in high-risk zones ahead of the upcoming fire season.
Zeybek also pointed out that Eastern Macedonia and Thrace have faced major wildfires in recent years, making it unacceptable for emergency services to operate with insufficient personnel under such conditions.
“The region does not need vague statements—it needs concrete measures, reinforced staffing, and an effective civil protection plan,” Zeybek said.
