Citizen Information
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Civil Protection
Civil Protection comprises the actions, mechanisms, and policies aimed at protecting life, health, property, and the environment from natural or technological disasters.
In Greece, coordination is carried out by the Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection through the General Secretariat for Civil Protection.
What is the difference between prevention, response, and recovery?
Prevention: Actions that reduce the likelihood or severity of a disaster (e.g., forest fuel management, awareness campaigns).
Response: Immediate intervention during a crisis (e.g., firefighting, rescue operations).
Recovery: Post-crisis actions to return to normality (e.g., compensation, reconstruction, psychosocial support).
Who notifies me in a crisis? What should I do?
The official alerting authority is 112 — the European Emergency Number.
If you receive an alert:
Read the instructions carefully.
Enable emergency alerts on your phone.
Inform your family members.
Follow local evacuation/avoidance plans.
Do not ignore warning signals.
How can I take part in an activity?
You can participate as:
- A volunteer in approved Civil Protection groups.
- A member of local prevention, reforestation, or awareness
- A community coordinator in schools, neighborhoods, or local communities.
- Contact your Municipality or Region, or find information on the Ministry’s platform.
What is 112 and when should I use it?
112 is the European Emergency Number. In Greece, it also operates as an SMS public warning system for hazards (wildfire, earthquake, flood, etc.).
Call 112 when:
- You need emergency assistance (Fire Service, Police, EMS).
- You witness someone in danger.
- You need evacuation or shelter-in-place guidance.