Moldovan firefighters return home after Greek wildfire mission
After a 30-day continuous mission in Greece, the fire rescue team from the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations has returned home.
The rescuers were welcomed at an official ceremony attended by government officials, colleagues, and family members. Although visibly exhausted and emotional, the firefighters said they were proud to have contributed, through their courage and effort, to saving lives and extinguishing the devastating fires in the Hellenic Republic.
Serghei Pletosu was eager to be reunited with his loved ones.
"Locals were quick to offer help and showed their gratitude," the firefighter said. "As we drove by, they would gesture their thanks. My wife and kids have already welcomed me. I'm very emotional, but I'm holding it together. I'm very tired from the trip and can't wait to get home."
"The kids cried every night. The youngest one would take his picture and sleep with it. There was a fear, but I knew he was strong and would come home safe and sound," said Cristina, Serghei’s wife.
The firefighters said they managed to overcome the challenges.
"The mission started out quite simply and was interesting, but along the way, it turned into a very complex mission with progressively larger and longer-lasting interventions," said Alexandru Slusarenco, the team commander. "But the team handled it."
"The first few days were easy," said firefighter Ion Mocan, "but as the days passed, you started to miss your family, your home, and Moldova."
The head of the IGSU announced that all members of the team who were in Greece will receive a 10-day leave starting Monday.
"I know it wasn't an easy mission," said Alexandru Oprea. "You had very complex, complicated, very long, and very demanding interventions."
"Thank you for being there, for your cooperation and engagement," emphasized Konstantinos Kattoulas, the deputy ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Moldova. "This is a clear testament to solidarity, a clear testament to unity, a clear testament to cooperation. This is the true meaning of the European Union. In our eyes, you are already part of the European family."
The mission took place between July 15 and August 15, consisted of 44 firefighters, and was equipped with eight vehicles. This year, the specialized fire rescue team from the IGSU participated for the third time in missions to extinguish forest fires in the Hellenic Republic and for the second time as a full member of the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
