Lessons to be learned in devastating tragedy
Watching the Greek fire scenario unfold is heart-wrenching. Melbourne’s high country went through it last summer and we know what destruction fire can cause. I have often voiced my views that the firefighting structure in Greece is not what it should be. Everytime I’ve been to Kastoria, I have cringed walking past the fire station with its three shiny trucks. This fire station would not have a hope in tackling a fire in its forests. Greece desperately needs to train a volunteer contingent in every town, teach the people how to deal with fire, educate children, build appropriate infrastructure, develop a national park system, a forestry register and put building regulations in place with parameters where everyone understands the rules. Properties should be insured and fire prevention mechanisms placed in all homes. It is easy to say that it won’t happen to you but it does, it can and it will. The fires in Samos just a few years ago should have been the bitter lesson. Didn’t Greece learn anything from this destruction? Do the islands share a stringent firefighting strategy with modern equipment? Greece isn’t going to get built in a day but protesting against the government is not the way. Protesting is a hindrance and not productive. Working with the government no matter what their political persuasion is the only way to make a wonderful country great. There is hope for Greece yet! VICKI KROMLIDIS Melbourne, Australia As a Swede who has lived and worked in Greece, I would like to comment on the recent forest fires. I also would like to express my sympathy to all families who have lost family members or friends. It is with great interest I heard about the reasons for the fires. Can some fires be explained by irresponsible behavior by Greeks? The following happened to me recently in Greece while passing through the wonderful archipelago. My wife and I were given a lift by some young Greeks to a nearby city. During the ride, we all enjoyed a pleasant conversation. Suddenly the driver, a young man of around 25 says: «This is a free country – we can do anything,» as he throws a burning cigarette out of the window. CLAES NORDFELDT, Sweden I believe that the most important action that Greece should take is to cancel or postpone forthcoming elections until the country has solved this enormous problem and clarify who is our enemy: nature or terrorism? Greeks need to be united right now and face the difficult days ahead, not divided believing that one leader or the other can solve the problem. Elections will mean the two leaders pointing out each others’ weaknesses. And the people will feel insecure. President Karolos Papoulias should call upon the leaders of all the parties to help him unite all Greeks to rebuild the country. We need nationalism now and unity and this should start from the top. The present leaders should show that Greece comes first before glory. Greeks have shown in the past that they are nationalists, when necessary, not beggars and I am referring to the time when the unpopular dictator Metaxas said the famous «no» to the fascist Italians in 1941. Greeks have a history of many heroes fighting for Greek independence as well as for a real democracy. I understand that the Greek Constitution does not allow cancellation of the upcoming elections unless «Greece is at war.» But what we heard was »Greece is in great danger» and that we did not know whether it was nature which caused the problems or terrorists. In fact, Karamanlis referred to «the enemy of our people.» These are all possibilities but we should remember also that the destruction of acres of olive trees and fruit and vegetable farms has already threatened the main income of the country. And what of Tourism? In addition to the deaths of people and the destruction of their houses, what war could have done more? Greece should not have elections now. The leader who will show that he cares more about Greece than his political party, will be the one who can rebuild Greece and restore the values and principles of Greek heritage. ANNA LAMBRINIDOU-LEA, President, Society for the Preservation of the Greek Heritage, Washington, USA I must say, despite all the devastation from the fires in Greece, one thing is quite alive and flourishing: the unity of the Greek people! From President Karolos Papoulias’s call for national unity, to the millions of euros in aid pouring in, to the farmers in northern Greece offering their counterparts in the Peloponnese livestock and other essentials, to self-sacrificing ordinary citizens – the examples are endless. To see citizens standing up and sacrificing themselves for their fellow citizens, is quite heart-wrenching. The Greek people always rise to the occasion of national unity when the need arises, especially in times of national turmoil. History has proven that. However, the question remains: Why must we always wait until a disaster strikes before we all unite for the common good? Alas, this question is secondary to the immediate needs of the disaster, but it must become a question that remains on our minds well after the initial shock of the fires this summer. STAVROS SKENDERIS, New York, USA Anger and blame are a natural response to such tragic events. While it was only right that the Greek government declare three days of mourning, a more vocal and practical call for help from other countries was more practically necessary. We in the diaspora are already setting up funds to help the victims through our media outlets and churches. A thorough government-level investigation is needed, calling for help from forensic arson squads with experience in bushfires in countries such as Australia, the USA and Canada who can provide objective views and have extensive experience in bushfires and their impact. A public educational campaign must also be launched before the next summer season to inform people about what to do if they are caught in a fire and preparing their homes for the fire season, such as clearing gutters and back-burning dead fuel. We in Australia have lived with bushfires all our lives. The tragic events exposed dramatically the lack of planning and preparation. NIKI STRATIS, Melbourne, Australia
