Police and Firefighter Shortages Threaten Safety in Western Greece

Police and fire services in Western Greece are facing severe staffing shortages as the summer season begins. According to the Union of Police Officers of Achaia, 28 officers were reassigned from already thin units in Patras and the region to a new support department, leaving the Patras police station unable to maintain a permanent 24‑hour patrol. The remaining force can only run two patrols per shift, and many officers are also deployed to tourist zones, further reducing local coverage.

The Western Greece Fire Brigade reports that recent transfers have taken experienced firefighters from Achaia and Aetoloacarnania, with 36 employees moving away and an additional two on temporary detachment. The 6th EMAC of Patras lost 11 of its 28 staff members. With the region’s high fire risk during the hot months, the reduced numbers raise concerns about the ability to respond to large fires, control traffic, and evacuate villages effectively.