2008-08-28In The Line of Fire

It all started when I went to Archangelos police station to do a job for Aegean Homes.
I noticed a lot of hustle and bustle. I asked what the problem was and they said they have to go and evacuate if needed in Laerma. I asked why and they said there is a fire.
I immediately phoned my chief (Red Cross) and reported the situation at 1145.
I left and went back to work where I received a phone call that I am on standby to go. (In the Red Cross we are on a 24 hr standby for action). Then I received my call to go AG.Istrio where the fire originated from at 1630.
I arrived there after an hour or so because on the way I had to give first aid to a car crash victim. Eventually I arrived there.
All I could see were flames and people running like crazy asking us to do something! We found the fire brigade and started the war with the fire. There were flames left right, middle and centre.
During the night it was calm where the fire brigade had positioned us. We started to provide food and water for the people who were involved in the fire.
People in private cars during the night would drive past and asked if we needed anything, then they would come back with fruit, water, food, medicine and coffee. We in return would give them a smile and thank them for their efforts. And we would then feed the fire fighters etc.
During the night an old house near our position took fire of which me and 4 members, who were with me managed after 2 hrs with water hoses and shovels to put it out.
The night went fast and in the morning we changed position where we moved closer to the fire. Eventually I was left to go home on a small break at 1400 on Wednesday but I was back on duty at 2000 the same night. This time I was positioned in Tharri, where I saw hell at one stage! The fire was around us and we were in the middle of it with no escape route. Fortunately we were in the parking ground. My plastic mask which I was wearing over my cloth melted from the heat and got stuck on the cloth!
Hell is more refreshing than this I think!
I was changed from this shift at 0600 in the morning and at 0800 I was in the office of Aegean Homes. I went home at 1630 and at 2200 I was on the front line in Lardos, Laerma and Glystra, where I drove the fire co-ordinator in that area and the chief co-ordinator around, (not to mention the first aid and food we provided for everyone )  until 0700 in the morning. I was back at work at 0830 Friday morning where I left work at 1630. At 2000 I left our centre of operations which is based in Rhodes hospital. On the way we helped the fire brigade in Asgoyroy to put out a car which was on fire and provide first aid to the driver and the passenger. Eventually at 2300 I was in the fire area again in the Glystra area and up to Asklipeio and Kiotari. On Saturday morning I was moved to Profilia then back to Glystra at about 1400. I was then given a break of 3 hrs to eat, rest and maybe sleep. Then I was sent to the dam area, where I was there all night Saturday fire fighting small flames and one big one round about 3am in the morning which lasted about 2 hrs. In the morning (Sunday) I was based at Profilia area and I drove  the fire co-ordinator in that area around. I was relieved on 0400, where I went home and then back to work on Monday morning at 0800.

By Tasos Dontas – Construction Co-ordinator for Aegean Homes, and Red Cross Agent