Connecting CLIMAAX Findings with Local Experience and Civil Protection Planning in Rafina–Pikermi.
Within the framework of its participation in the European CLIMAAX project, the Municipality of Rafina–Pikermi has submitted the first two project deliverables, which focus on the identification, assessment and better understanding of key climate-related risks affecting the municipality.
These deliverables provide an initial evidence base for assessing the main hazards that may affect the local area, including flood events, heatwaves and other risks associated with climate change and civil protection. Their purpose is not limited to the technical documentation of data, but also extends to supporting more effective prevention, preparedness and operational planning at local level.
Following the submission of the first two deliverables, the Municipality has initiated a process of consultation and validation with municipal services, competent authorities and stakeholders involved in civil protection. The objective is to examine whether the findings of the deliverables correspond to the operational experience of those who know the area, its vulnerabilities and the challenges that arise during emergency situations.
Through this process, the Municipality seeks to collect feedback on whether the identified risks reflect real local conditions, to highlight high-risk locations that may not be sufficiently captured by the available data, and to record operational difficulties related to access, communication, traffic management, evacuation procedures and coordination among the competent bodies.
At the same time, the consultation process aims to gather practical recommendations that can be incorporated into Phase 3 of CLIMAAX, where the focus shifts from risk assessment to climate risk management, preparedness and the improvement of existing civil protection procedures.
In this context, an information and consultation activity was carried out in Kallitechnoupoli, focusing on the “IOLAOS 2” Plan, the national and local emergency response framework for forest fires. The activity was organised to inform residents about the relevant civil protection planning, while also providing an opportunity to collect useful feedback from the local community.
Kallitechnoupoli is an area where prevention, early warning and operational preparedness are of particular importance, due to its geomorphological characteristics, proximity to forested areas and specific road network conditions. The experience of residents, their knowledge of local access routes, potential bottlenecks and communication difficulties, as well as their observations from previous incidents, constitute valuable input for improving civil protection planning.
The feedback received during this activity is directly relevant to the objectives of CLIMAAX Phase 3, as it contributes to the verification of previous findings and supports the adaptation of planning tools to the actual needs of the area. In this way, the project’s scientific data are enriched with local knowledge and field experience.
This approach reflects the broader philosophy of CLIMAAX: climate risk assessment should not remain detached from the everyday reality of local communities. Instead, scientific evidence should be combined with the practical experience of residents, municipal services and civil protection stakeholders, so that the resulting measures are realistic, operationally useful and locally relevant.
Through this process, the Municipality of Rafina–Pikermi aims to strengthen its operational readiness, improve the effectiveness of its civil protection plans and incorporate into Phase 3 of CLIMAAX concrete and applicable proposals. The active involvement of residents and stakeholders is therefore a key element in building a more resilient, better prepared and safer local community.
Περίληψη
Το παρόν κείμενο περιγράφει τη σύνδεση των δύο πρώτων παραδοτέων του ευρωπαϊκού προγράμματος CLIMAAX με τη διαδικασία συλλογής επιχειρησιακής εμπειρίας από υπηρεσίες, φορείς Πολιτικής Προστασίας και κατοίκους του Δήμου Ραφήνας–Πικερμίου. Ιδιαίτερη έμφαση δίνεται στην ενημερωτική δράση στην Καλλιτεχνούπολη για το σχέδιο «ΙΟΛΑΟΣ 2», η οποία αξιοποιήθηκε όχι μόνο για την ενημέρωση των κατοίκων σχετικά με την αντιμετώπιση εκτάκτων αναγκών λόγω δασικών πυρκαγιών, αλλά και για τη συγκέντρωση χρήσιμων παρατηρήσεων που μπορούν να ενσωματωθούν στη Φάση 3 του CLIMAAX. Η διαδικασία αυτή ενισχύει τη σύνδεση επιστημονικών δεδομένων, τοπικής γνώσης και πρακτικού σχεδιασμού Πολιτικής Προστασίας.