Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association

Volunteer firefighters are the… unsung heroes of the fires

Pavlos Kokkos, Vice President of PEEPS, spoke to Ms. Anna Emmei and Greek Newspaper "Kyriakatiki Apogevmatini" about the role of volunteers in fires, the challenges and the necessity of the institution in today's Greece.

🔗 Read the full article here👇:
https://vfu.gr/volunteer-firefighters-the-unsung-heroes-of-fires/

🔥🎄 Season’s Greetings from the Hellenic Volunteer Firefighting Association ! 🎄🔥

With the spirit of volunteerism guiding us, we wish you a 2025 filled with health, safety, and love.

Together, let’s continue to build a brighter and more secure future through resilience, teamwork, and service.

Thank you for inspiring us with your trust and support. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year !

#2025

🔥🎄 Festliche Grüße von der Freiwilligen Feuerwehr Griechenlands ! 🎄🔥

Mit dem Geist des Ehrenamts wünschen wir Ihnen ein Jahr 2025 voller Gesundheit, Sicherheit und Liebe. Lassen Sie uns gemeinsam eine bessere und sicherere Zukunft mit Widerstandskraft, Zusammenarbeit und Engagement gestalten.

Vielen Dank für Ihr Vertrauen und Ihre Unterstützung. Frohe Weihnachten und ein glückliches neues Jahr !

#2025

The Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association would like to express its sincere condolences for the tragic loss of Mikko Saastamoinen, a man who was a source of inspiration for all of us who serve the common good.

Mikko, as head of CTIF's Extrication & New Technology Commission from 2021, has not only been an excellent professional, but also a true leader who had dedicated his life to protecting people, as well as the continuous development of fire fighting and rescue services.

His contribution has been invaluable as he worked tirelessly to enhance rescue procedures and incorporate new life-saving technologies. His sensitivity, dedication and human approach deeply touched those who had the honor of knowing and working with him.

In these difficult times, our thoughts and undivided support are with his family, friends and colleagues. Mikko will forever remain in our memory, not only as an outstanding professional, but also as a man with a rare heart and spirit. His legacy will continue to light our way and inspire us to be better.

Sponsored by Knauf Gypsopiia ABEE, the 2nd Course of Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technicians for Volunteer Firefighters, members of the Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association, which took place from 7 to 11 May 2024 in Ioannina, Greece, and was implemented by Kayak Metavasi Rescue3 Greece, was successfully completed.

The highly demanding program included daily theoretical and practical training in rescue techniques using technical equipment and floating devices and the trainees received a Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Technician certification from the international organization RESCUE 3.

The Hellenic Volunteer firefighters Association expresses its sincere gratitude to Knauf Gypsopiia ABEE for sponsoring the training and would like to thank Kayak Metavasi Rescue3 Greece for the highly professional training and unforgettable experience.

On September 13th, 2023, at the Economist Natural Disasters Management Summit, within the 87th Thessaloniki International Fair, under the title “Protecting Lives-Building Resilience”, the Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association was represented by President Volunteer Fire Sergeant Serafim Tsiougkris.

The focus of the discussion was the impact of natural disasters, the reassessment of the response to them, the role of volunteers and what needs have emerged in 2023. With the participation of speakers from all over the world, the stress was on the climate crisis, the impact on the environment and human life as well as on the need for the upgrade of the civil protection of countries on the basis of cooperation and mutual support and understanding.

President Mr Tsiougkris presented the institution of Volunteer Firefighters in the Hellenic Fire Service and stressed that “It is vital that we, along with the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, have an insight into how we can increase the volunteer staff at the Hellenic Fire Service, how more Volunteer Fire Stations and Substations can be founded in areas of Greece where Fire Services are far or non-existent (for example, in many Greek islands with no fire service or remote mountainous areas) and generally to make good use of the volunteers through the increase of their numbers, contributing to the strengthening of Civil Protection in our country. Furthermore, Mr Tsiougkris stressed the necessity that the Greek state further support the constitution through actions too, adding that “our country lacks in Fire volunteerism and there are a lot of issues that require improvement for the substantial reinforcement of civil protection”.

A two-day First Responder TRAUMA and CPR/AED training, organized by the Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association for female volunteer firefighters, was concluded a few hours ago, with the cooperation of the Hellenic Society of Emergency Prehospital Care (HSEPC/EEEPF).
The participants successfully concluded the training and received certifications by the HSEPC/EEEPF, the American College of Surgeons and the European Resuscitation Council.
The Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Women’s Chapter of AHEPA/Daughters of Penelope “Karyatides” for sponsoring the training.

Smoke was seen for miles around South Kingstown Thursday, but it was just another drill at the Union Fire District's training grounds.

Greek volunteer firefighters train in South Kingstown Smoke was seen for miles around South Kingstown Thursday, but it was another drill at the Union Fire District's training grounds.

Twelve firefighters, including two women, from the Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association took part in a week of training with members of the Union Fire District at the district’s Asa Pond Road headquarters.

Union Fire District welcomes Greek firefighters for training The close ties between local firefighters and their brethren in Greece go back to 2011, and they were reinforced with a special visit last week.Twelve firefighters, including two women, from

On Sunday 28th November 2021, another successful training was organized by the Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association.
Fifteen volunteer firefighters took part at the 3nd annual Gas Fire Training on gas fuel firefighting techniques in Schematari, Viotia, conducted by “Marine Training and Safety Consultants” in cooperation with “Pyrognosi Institute”.
The Hellenic Volunteer Firefighters Association would like to warmly thank the Greek Orthodox Community of Melbourne & Victoria for the funding of this training and generally for their support in our Association’s initiatives.