The Role of the Hellenic Police in the Management of Natural Disasters: Legislative Framework ^†

Abstract

This study investigates the involvement of the Hellenic Police in the management of natural disasters. The legislation governing police participation in disaster management in Greece is based on the general framework of civil protection policy, outlining the responsibilities assigned to various agencies for handling emergency situations. The role of the Hellenic Police is particularly significant and proactive in both the prevention and management of natural disasters, with specific responsibilities and duties. Key areas of Hellenic Police involvement in disaster management include the following: 1. prevention and public awareness; 2. risk identification and management; 3. evacuation of areas, organized removal and relocation of citizens and traffic management; 4. cooperation and coordination with other authorities and services; 5. support for rescue teams; and 6. security and order in affected areas.

1. Introduction

During periods of crises and disasters, public administration assumes a pivotal and decisive role in protecting citizens’ safety and well-being, through the implementation of emergency preparedness strategies and the execution of effective crisis response mechanisms [1]. Greece is a country prone to a wide range of natural disasters such as earthquakes, wildfires, floods and, occasionally, extreme weather phenomena such as heatwaves and storms.

According to the current legislative framework [2,3], the authorities involved in the management of natural disasters include the Hellenic Fire Service, the Hellenic Police, the National Emergency Aid Centre, the Hellenic Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK), Municipalities and Regional Authorities, the Hellenic Coast Guard, and the Armed Forces, when circumstances require it, of course under the guidelines of civil protection.

The participation of the Hellenic Police in natural disaster management is both critical and multifaceted, spanning all phases of the disaster management cycle. While its primary mandate remains the maintenance of public order and the protection of citizens, the Police undertakes significant responsibilities in disaster response and actively supports other competent authorities in fulfilling their roles [4].

2. Data and Methods

In recent years, the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters have been closely linked to the effects of climate change, urbanization, and the degradation of natural ecosystems. As a result, the need for effective risk reduction strategies, preparedness, and interagency cooperation has become more urgent than ever [5]. According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), a natural disaster is defined as a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society, involving widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses and impacts, caused by natural hazards [6].

Greece is situated in the southern part of Europe, between 34° and 42° N latitude and 19° to 28° E longitude, and features a typically Mediterranean climate, characterized by mild and wet winters, relatively hot and dry summers, and extended periods of sunshine throughout most of the year (Figure 1). Greece has a great diversity of climate types, primarily due to its complex topography, which includes significant variations in altitude (large mountain ranges across the mainland and other elevated terrains) as well as the alternating presence of land and sea [7].

This study undertakes a chronological examination and a comparative analysis of the principal legislative frameworks (

Table 1. Milestones of civil protection legislation in Greece.

Rationale for Change	Legislative Act	Brief Description
1. Multiplication and intensification of natural disasters (Law 2344/1995)	Law 4662/2020	Institutionalization of the National Crisis Management Mechanism, covering all phases (prevention, preparedness, response, recovery)
2. Inadequacies of Law3013/2002 Ministerial Decision No. 1299/2003	Law 4662/2020	Replacement of the outdated model based on the general oversight of the General Secretariat for Civil Protection, lacking operational clarity
3. European and international obligations	Law 4662/2020 + participation in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism	Alignment with EU requirements, including the development of a National Risk Assessment Plan
4. Need for institutionalized interagency cooperation (Police, Fire Service, Municipalities)	Presidential Decree 178/2014, Law 4249/2014, Law 4662/2020	Definition of responsibilities for all involved Authorities. Establishment of Coordinating mechanism (such as National Coordination Center for Operations and Crisis Management)
5. Tragic events— Mati wildfire 2018	Law 4662/2020	Response to criticism over the system’s failure to act effectively, leading to the acceleration of structural reform
6. Integration of the climate crisis dimension	Presidential Decree 70/2021 Law 5075/2023	Establishment of the Ministry for Climate Crisis and Civil Protection (sustainable prevention and risk reduction). Reforming C. P.

) that define the role of the Hellenic Police in natural disaster management, systematically linked to parallel legislative reforms in the evolving structure of Civil Protection in Greece [9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17]. Moreover, it analyzes the reasons for legal amendments and the intended outcomes of each policy intervention.

In accordance with Article 17 of Law 3013/2002, the Ministerial Decision 1299/7-4-2003 was issued, titled “Approval of the General Civil Protection Plan Dated 7 April 2003, under the Codename XENOKRATIS”, concerning the management of catastrophic events. In 2010, within the framework of this Ministerial Decision and Article 11 of Presidential Decree 151/2004 [18], the “General Emergency Response Plan for Forest Fires” was issued. The main purpose of this plan is to ensure the prompt and coordinated response of the competent authorities at central, regional, and local levels in managing risks arising from forest fires. The Plan was subsequently revised in 2011 (2nd edition) and 2013 (3rd edition). In 2019, it was further updated and given the codename “Iolaos”. As of 2023, the 5th edition of the Plan, under the code name “Iolaos 2”, is in force.

The General Plan “Iolaos 2” [18] includes, among others, the key areas of Hellenic Police involvement, such us prevention and public awareness, risk identification and management, evacuation (total or partial) of areas, organized removal and relocation of citizens, traffic management, cooperation and coordination with other authorities and services, support for rescue teams, and security and order in the affected areas.

Moreover, when responding to natural disasters, such as earthquakes, floods or wildfires, trained police negotiators may also be deployed [9]. These negotiators specialize in handling critical situations involving individuals experiencing high stress (e.g., panic, un survivors, helping them remain calm and cooperate with the authorities for the safe management of the disaster.

3. Results

Civil protection legislation in Greece has undergone significant reforms over the past three decades, responding to both internal needs and international obligations. These changes aim to create a more functional, flexible, and effective crisis management mechanism, capable of addressing the increasing challenges posed by natural disasters and the climate crisis. Analyzing the chronological evolution of the legal framework concerning the Hellenic Police’s involvement in managing natural disasters, this study determines that the HP has a crucial role, particularly during the preparedness and response phases. While its primary mission remains the maintenance of public order, its responsibilities have expanded to include prevention, support during evacuations, and inter-agency coordination.

The increase and intensification of natural disasters in Greece (such as wildfires, floods and earthquakes) highlighted the need for a more effective, preventive and coordinated civil protection system. The inadequacies of the previous legal framework (general provisions without clear operational plans) intensified the need for more efficient cooperation among the involved authorities with clearly defined responsibilities. Moreover, the deficient emergency response of the state mechanism to major natural disasters, such as Mati in 2018, in conjunction with Greece’s position within the European Union and its mechanisms, demanded the rapid adaptation of national legislation. This led to the enactment of Law 4662/2020, which provides for the establishment of the National Mechanism for Crisis Management and Risk Response. It also provides for the activation of the ‘112’ European Early Warning System, aiming to enhance public alerts and immediate communication in emergencies. The current organizational structure and cooperation of the authorities involved in civil protection in Greece, according to the latest legal frame, is listed in

Table 2. Organizational structure and responsibilities of the authorities and agencies involved in civil protection in Greece, according to the latest legal frame.

Authority/Teams	Role/Responsibility
General Secretariat for Civil Protection	Has a strategic and coordinating role at the national level.
Fire Service	Responsible for fire suppression and rescue operations.
Hellenic Police	Ensures public order, coordinates evacuations, and manages traffic.
Armed Forces—Hellenic Coast Guard	Provide support, equipment and personnel when needed.
Local Authorities (Municipalities and Regions)	Play a crucial role at the local level, often in cooperation with volunteers.
Volunteers	Offer supportive services, especially in prevention, logistics, and community response.
Mass Media/112/Reception Centers	Responsible for public information, early warning, and support of the population.

and depicted in Figure 2.

4. Conclusions and Policy Recommendations

The study revealed that the HP has a crucial institutional role within Greece’s civil protection architecture, particularly in securing public order, supporting evacuations and maintaining infrastructural integrity. Effective response to natural disasters depends on the proper training and preparedness of its personnel. Following accurate response protocols, participating in trainings with civil protection personnel and acquiring basic skills such as first aid and crowd management are very important. Continuous education ensures that the HP is ready to act both preventively and supportively during times of crisis. Interoperability can be enhanced through joint seminars, clearly delineated responsibilities, real-time information exchange (communication protocols) and developing joint operational plans. Moreover, drafting post-disaster assessment reports is essential to evaluating the response of all the authorities involved. Analyzing strengths and weaknesses, and integrating new proposals contributes to improving flawed practices and enhancing public transparency.

The Law 4662/2020 established the national civil protection mechanism that consolidates and organizes the responsibilities of the involved agencies in the field of crisis and natural disaster management. However, there remains scope for improvement, as the excessive centralization of responsibilities within the central mechanism (i.e., the Ministry of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection) limits flexibility at the local and regional levels. Moreover, many municipalities and regions lack the logistical infrastructure or sufficient personnel to effectively meet the requirements set by the law. However, its success depends on the continuous training of all the agencies involved, the delegation of authority, the enhancement of public transparency, and institutional assessment and reassessment after each disaster or crisis.