A volunteer disaster response team in the mountain village of Salakos on the Greek island of Rhodes has expanded into an autonomous civil protection force of 47 members as it prepares for seasonal wildfires and winter floods.
The group, known as the Volunteer Disaster Response Team of Salakos (ETHOMAK), recently completed procedures for a new charter allowing it to operate independently after growing from a ten-member initiative formed in 2013.
ETHOMAK Salakos president Panagiotis Englezos told the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (APE-MPE) that 27 members are now fully certified active civil protection volunteers ready for emergency dispatch, while approximately 20 probationary members are currently undergoing training.
Salakos is located in a mountainous region of western Rhodes adjacent to the dense pine forests of Mount Profitis Ilias, the island's second highest peak. The geographical location leaves the community vulnerable to severe wildfires during hot summer months and heavy rainfall causing winter flooding.
Volunteer training and safety principles
Englezos said the initial effort began in 2011 before the group formally established itself in 2013 through the Cultural Association of Salakos. He explained that local residents decided to remain in their village and wanted to protect the surrounding landscape they saw every morning outside their homes.
The organizational structure created by the Salakos volunteers subsequently served as a model for other volunteer emergency teams across Rhodes.
Rigorous instruction remains a mandatory requirement for all active members rather than a mere formality. Englezos emphasized that goodwill alone is insufficient during emergency operations, noting that responders must understand their tasks, wear proper personal protective equipment, and follow instructions from official emergency services.
He added that volunteers must protect their own lives first in order to be capable of saving others during a crisis.
The 2023 Rhodes wildfire response
The team's readiness faced its most critical test during the summer of 2023, when one of the largest wildfires in the history of Rhodes swept across the island. Flames advanced into the Mount Profitis Ilias area and directly threatened Salakos, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders for Salakos, Eleousa, and Dimylia.
Englezos recalled that during those critical hours, he took on a heavy coordination role with local volunteers while professional fire service units were forced to operate across multiple active fronts to safeguard residents and property.
He recalled receiving a direct instruction from authorities telling him to do whatever the team knew how to do to protect the area. Salakos volunteers joined dozens of other responders from across Rhodes on the front lines, helping to bring under control a major fire front that was advancing toward their village.
The 2023 emergency highlighted the practical necessity of trained local volunteers who possess intimate knowledge of mountain roads, forest access paths, and complex terrain, as well as a direct stake in protecting their home communities.
Funding history and official recognition
Operating conditions for local volunteer teams have changed substantially over the past decade. For many years, Salakos members had to pool their own money to buy fuel so that emergency vehicles could respond to incidents.
Englezos noted that official support improved significantly from 2019 onward as Greek state authorities increased recognition of volunteer groups, enhanced cooperation, and provided systematic equipment upgrades.
ETHOMAK Salakos is now officially registered in the Greek Civil Protection Ministry's official Registry of Volunteer Organisations, integrating the team into regional emergency response planning. Following the demanding 2023 fire season, the team received additional specialized firefighting gear and protective equipment through public support programs and private donations.
Community outreach and ongoing readiness
Beyond major disaster responses, the group maintains routine operations throughout the year. Members conduct regular forest surveillance patrols, hold readiness drills, and participate in continuous emergency training.
The team also works to pass its civic philosophy to younger generations. Members visit local primary and middle schools to speak with students about the importance of volunteerism and community participation.
Englezos told APE-MPE that volunteering is a way of life, encouraging young people to join organized volunteer groups, complete training, and integrate community service into their daily lives.
He said volunteers in Salakos fulfill that commitment every summer while patrolling local woodlands, responding to emergency calls, and remaining on standby through difficult nights to safeguard their homeland.
