Greece’s Seasonal Firefighters Demand Permanent Employment Amid Rising Wildfire Threat

On October 31, 2024, hundreds of seasonal firefighters protested in Athens for permanent job contracts after their temporary contracts ended post-wildfire season. They seek acknowledgment of their vital role amidst escalating climate change and wildfires, calling for a shift from seasonal to year-round employment. Their demands are fueled by record-breaking fire seasons and employment restrictions that impact experienced firefighters.

On October 31, 2024, hundreds of seasonal firefighters in Greece convened outside the Civil Protection Ministry in Athens to advocate for year-round employment contracts. As their contracts concluded following a particularly intense wildfire season, these firefighters, dressed in their standard tan and red uniforms, expressed their frustrations using various noisemaking tools and waving Greek flags. Representing approximately 2,500 firefighters whose temporary employment had come to an end, they are left in a precarious position, awaiting the possibility of re-employment next May. Union representatives have underscored the importance of adapting firefighting resources to combat the escalating threat posed by climate change, which has extended fire risks beyond the typical summer months. The 2023 fire season has been notably devastating, with an estimated area of 1,747 square kilometers (675 square miles) burnt – surpassing four times the annual average observed over the past decade, as reported by the European Union’s wildfire monitoring service. This season has already accounted for considerable destruction, with approximately 410 square kilometers (158 square miles) affected, including a significant fire nearing the outskirts of Athens. Evangelos Tsoukalas, the president of the Seasonal Firefighters’ Association of Greece, remarked on the challenges faced by experienced firefighters. “There is an age cut-off (for those positions). And now our contracts are up, so we are being thrown out as seasonal firefighters,” he stated, highlighting his concern regarding an age restriction that disallows individuals over 35 from applying for specialized positions created this year. Traditionally, seasonal firefighters serve from May through October, but union officials contend that their experience is crucial, especially in the face of increasingly severe fire seasons that Greece now faces. As the government has yet to respond to the demands for permanent roles amid the growing challenges presented by protracted fire seasons, the situation remains uncertain. Notably, this summer recorded June and July as the hottest months in history for Greece, according to preliminary data from the National Observatory of Athens.

The phenomenon of seasonal firefighting in Greece has come under increasing scrutiny due to the intensified impact of climate change, which has prolonged the fire risk in the region. Traditionally, firefighters in Greece are employed on a temporary basis during the summer months, with contracts running typically from May to October. However, recent years have seen a surge in wildfires, with the 2023 season marking one of the most damaging to date. The escalating scale and severity of these wildfires have drawn attention to the necessity for a more stable and continuous firefighting workforce to manage the dangers posed to communities and natural landscapes throughout the year.

The protest by seasonal firefighters in Greece underscores an urgent need for reforms in the country’s firefighting strategies, given the stark impact of climate change on the frequency and intensity of wildfires. With many active firefighters facing unemployment and restrictions hinder their job prospects, the demand for year-round employment is compelling. As Greece contemplates how to bolster its firefighting capabilities, the voices of these seasonal firefighters highlight the critical need for an adaptive and responsive approach to fire management in an era of unprecedented environmental change.

Original Source: apnews.com