Central Macedonia honours fallen firefighters

The Regional Association of Municipalities of Central Macedonia (PEDKM) paid tribute on Tuesday to firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty — battling fires and floods — while protecting lives and property.

The ceremony, held to mark Firefighters’ Memorial Day on November 12, took place at the Fire Service’s memorial site on 25th Martiou Street in Thessaloniki. The annual day of remembrance was established in honour of the first Greek firefighter to die in service, probationary firefighter Konstantinos Poulos, who was killed 80 years ago during a blaze in Thessaloniki.

The memorial service included a prayer and wreath-laying ceremony, attended by the Inspector General of the Fire Service for Northern Greece, Lieutenant General Theodoros Kosmidis; the General Coordinator of the Police for Northern Greece, Georgios Papadopoulos; senior fire officers; the president of PEDKM and Mayor of Pylaia–Chortiatis, Ignatios Kaitetzidis; Thessaloniki Deputy Regional Governor Kostas Gioutikas; Archimandrite Iakovos Athanasiou, Protosyngellos of the Metropolis of Thessaloniki; and representatives of the armed forces, police, and other authorities.

Deputy Minister of the Interior for Macedonia–Thrace Konstantinos Gioulekas sent a message of tribute, while attendees included the Prime Minister’s Office Coordinator in Thessaloniki, Yiannis Papageorgiou, members of parliament, deputy mayors, retired firefighters’ associations, civic organisations, and Civil Protection volunteers.

Laying a wreath on behalf of the 38 municipalities of Central Macedonia, PEDKM president Ignatios Kaitetzidis said:

“With deep gratitude and emotion, we honour and remember the heroic firefighters who sacrificed their lives for our safety, our lives, and our property. They deserve to be remembered for their bravery, faith, and devotion to duty — for putting themselves above all else in service to the values and ideals of the firefighter.”

During the ceremony, Fire Captain Emmanouil Mantzouridis read the Day’s Order, stating:

“With gratitude and respect, we pay a small tribute to the heroic firefighters who gave their lives in the line of duty. Their sacrifice is an example of courage and dedication, and we remember each one of them so that their memory remains forever alive.”