News

Greek Delegation to Visit Union Fire District

Published Date: 10.25.2011

A contingent of volunteer firefighters from Greece will have the opportunity to learn strategies and tactics utilized during live burn evolutions being held at the Union Fire District Training Ground in Rhode Island. The firefighters arrive on October 29 and will spend the week exchanging ideas, tactics, and strategies. The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has assisted the Union Fire District (UFD) in planning the special training sessions with the Union of Hellenic Fire Service Volunteers.

The NVFC and the UFD are committed to fostering relationships and encouraging idea-exchanges with the international fire service. NVFC board members Mike Bird (MA) and Kevin Quinn (RI) and Executive Director Heather Schafer have been coordinating the October visit and training evolutions for nearly a year. Discussion of issues of mutual interest, firefighting, and training has served as the foundation for this opportunity. The delegation from the Union of Hellenic Fire Service Volunteers includes volunteer fire service executives, volunteer fire station commanders, and volunteer firefighters.

Chief Robert Perry and members of the Union Fire District will utilize the UFD training facility to demonstrate fireground tactics and escort the delegation through live fire training exercises. Topics include:  vehicle extrication, fire suppression, ventilation, ladders, confined space, forcible entry, and CPR training.

The NVFC and Greek firefighters will have the assistance of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the largest and oldest association of Greek Americans and Philhellenes in the country, during the firefighters’ stay in the United States. According to AHEPA National President Dr. John Grossomanides, a native of Westerly, RI, AHEPA will help provide transportation and meals for the visiting firefighters.

“We have a history of lending emergency support to local communities in the time of need, especially when wildfires ravaged Greece in 2007,” said Grossomanides, who added that AHEPA provided $500,000 in goods and donations in the wake of the 2007 wildfires. AHEPA is currently working with the Union of Hellenic Fire Service Volunteers on addressing immediate issues that Greek volunteer firefighters are facing along with providing support to the consignment in the U.S. “We look forward to helping to make their training visit to the States a successful and enjoyable one,” Grossomanides said.

Makis Tsiougris (front row, third from left), President of the Union of Hellenic Fire Service Volunteers, participated in a live fire training exercise at the Union Fire District in 2010.

In September 2010, Perry, Bird, and Quinn met with Makis Tsiougris, the President of the Union of Hellenic Fire Service Volunteers, the organization that represents the 2,000 volunteer firefighters in Greece. In addition to discussing the fire service in both countries, Tsiougris participated in a live fire training exercise at the UFD facility. It was this connection that brought the idea of bringing a contingent of Greek firefighters to the United States. There are also plans to bring a second delegation in the spring.

The NVFC is coordinating communications between the two countries and is in the process of exchanging and sharing information. In addition to visiting Rhode Island, the Greek delegation is sharing and exchanging ideas with the Fire Department of New York (FDNY).

These recent meetings are part of the NVFC’s ongoing efforts to foster communications with the international fire service community. Over the past few years, the NVFC has also met with fire service leaders from Japan, England, Finland, Italy, Canada, Australia, South America, and Central America. It is the intention of the NVFC to create strong, ongoing relationships, fostering good will and developing an increased understanding of the needs, successes, challenges and similarities between the fire service communities.

Source: Union Fire District

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