During the summer of 2023, Dimitris Marinelis dedicated his days to the frontlines of Europe’s largest wildfire in northern Greece, safeguarding homes and establishing firebreaks as flames consumed vast areas of forest.
Like many on his team, Mr. Marinelis has not received any payment for his efforts. He is part of a group of thousands of volunteer firefighters in Greece who balance their regular jobs with the fight against the devastating summer wildfires, often dropping everything to respond wherever assistance is required.
“I’m a businessman,” said Mr. Marinelis, 54, who operates a construction firm, while at the base of the volunteer team in the affluent Athens suburb of Ekali.
“When the phone rings and you have a shift… you set aside your own concerns and focus on the needs of others,” he explained.
The government has also allocated approximately €2 billion to acquire new aircraft and intends to deploy nearly double the number of thermal camera drones to detect fires than it did last year, with one designated for the Ekali team.
“Sadly, we are preparing for the worst while hoping for the best,” Mr. Marinelis remarked.
Greece’s firefighting service operates with a combination of permanent staff and seasonal workers, and has traditionally relied on volunteers, who are regarded by many Greeks as the backbone of the nation’s firefighting efforts. Images of fatigued firefighters in soot-stained uniforms resting by the roadside are often shared on social media alongside messages of encouragement.
However, sustaining these organizations is not always straightforward.
George Dertilis, the leader of the Ekali team, stated that his 60-member group relies on donations for their equipment and vehicles—one of which has been in service since 1986. Some of their uniforms have been generously donated by colleagues from France and Belgium.
“There are times when we struggle to secure basic necessities like hoses,” he noted.
In 2021, just two weeks prior to a significant fire occurring near Athens, Mr. Dertilis shared that they could not afford insurance for all four trucks until private donors intervened. Unfortunately, the fire later damaged their hoses, prompting them to seek donations while the flames were still raging.
Throughout the years, the team has formed strong bonds akin to family. Yet, it is often the thought of their own loved ones that keeps them from taking unnecessary risks.
Mr. Marinelis’ wife, Mariana Pilou, an architect, is also a volunteer with the team. They have two young daughters and make an effort to avoid working on the same fire.
Ms. Pilou, 53, recounted a recent experience: “It was a challenging situation, and when I had to flee, I thought of my kids and reminded myself… don’t act like a hero.”
