Ε.ΔΑΣ.Α.

The History Of E.DAS.A.

       

      

 

The E.DAS.A. (Volunteers Of Forest Fire-Watching Of Attica) is an environmental non-profit association with principal purpose of mobilizing the inhabitants of Attica in voluntary forest fire-watching, forest fire-fighting and reforestation of the mountains of Attica and assistance, where possible, to services in mountain fighting forest fires . Our association works with the Fire Department and the local Forest Inspection of Attica.

The idea was born 25 years ago in a small group of climbers and cavers sensitized to the problems created by the fires in our forests. The driving idea was to save the green lungs-so precious to densely populated Athens. So, wanting to help by their way to save the forests and offering their time, they organized a group which together with the Forestry and the Fire Department would help to prevent and extinguish fires. For this purpose, fire-watching started at night and early morning shift, overseeing not only the major part of Parnitha but having visual contact with a region that reaches east to the island of Evia, north to Boeotia and west-southwest to Peloponnesus, having the opportunity to notify in time for fire.

The selection of two positions for the wooden fire-posts hosting the volunteers, played a critical role in achieving this goal. The one (before destroyed by fire in 2007) was on the top of Kira, the second in Skipiza, where it was constructed with the personal work of volunteers of E.Das.A. The year 2007 after 19 years in operation , the fire-post of Skipiza , radically reconstructed with the generous sponsorship of WWF Hellas and personal work from members of WWF Hellas and E.DAS.A. Over the years the coming of more and more volunteers made the small group to be a big family, that feel the same enthusiasm and consistency with the founders.

In July 2008, 4 new fire-posts built by the Forestry of Parnitha and Management Agency Of National Forest of Parnitha (Top Karamanli, Alogorachi, Mola, Ntrasiza) and E.DAS.A. began to keep a lookout at night to one of them (Fire-post Of Mola)
The heads of every fire-watching know very well the paths of Parnitha and they are trained in the particularities of the region, equipped with the appropriate instruments for patrolling the areas and contact with relevant departments.

Apart from voluntary forest fire-watching, the actions of E.DAS.A. includes reforestation of the mountains of Attica, and firefighting and helping mountain forest fire-fighting services, as it has a special team for mountain forest fire-fighting (O.D.O.P). The O.D.O.P, after a call by the focal point of Fire Department, rushing to help extinguish the steep forested areas of Attica.
Especially in recent disastrous fire at Parnitha in June 2007, O.D.O.P. out fire, and control and rekindle small focal points for three days.
Since 2008 the EDASA started out patrols in the National Park of Parnitha with 4x4 vehicle which was donated to the Association by the British Airways and converted into a fire truck on July 14 of that year. The next day, July 15 participated in his first fire-fighting in the fire of Inoi with ODOP.
In recognition of his services the E.DAS.A. has received many honors from the Forestry and the Fire Department.
In 25 years of life of our association, its action was as follows:
1) Mobilization of the inhabitants of Attica (3.377) which they have been watching Parnitha ,in two fire-posts, for over 1719 nights.
2) From these two fire-posts identified only by E.DAS.A., 161 forest fires in the area of Parnitha, the wider area of Attica, Viotia prefecture and the prefecture of Evia. The 4 of these fires in recent years was too dangerous for the National Park of Parnitha, the disaster was avoided thanks to early detection of by our volunteers and then notify competent services which intervene effectively.
3) Participation in extinguishing 32 forest fires in Parnitha and Penteli, where the contribution of our association in two of these in Parnitha, was a catalyst for the salvation of this Forest (stated by the Forestry chief mrs Dourou and mrs Ntinoka).

4) 280 patrols with the fire truck from the EDASA ODOP volunteers (group firefighting mountain areas).
5) Cleaning and signaling paths in Parnitha to facilitate groups of E.DAS.A for Forest fire-watcing and fire-fighting as well the involved forces of the state.
6) Organizing 7 reforestation. In Parnitha, in Grammatiko of Attica, Penteli and Tatoi and adoption of 200 acres burnt forest area in Penteli for experimental reforestation
7) Participation in 2009 in three major reforestation carried out in Kokkinara of Penteli (two reforestations) and Exoni of Imittos on 25 January ,13 December and 15 February respectively.
8) Publication and distribution of brochures.
9) Education and impartment of knowledge for the organization of Forest fire-watching and fire-fighting in the rest of Greece.
10) Environmental information in schools, clubs and camps.
11) From 2007 the E.DAS.A. ,wanting to help in the reforestation of the wounded area from the disastrous fire on 28/6/2007, started a new activity. The seed collection of Fir Cephalonica (photo of seeds that have been germinated) from the unburned parts of the firs forest of Parnitha, helping the authorities in the reforestation of Parnitha.

 

 

 

 

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