The famous Samaria Gorge, which is very popular during the summer months, was selected by the partners of the major European HORIZON 2020 project, which provides for the development of a holistic ecosystem for fire management and the prevention, detection and restoration of environmental disasters. The Decentralized Administration of Crete participates in the project as a partner and operational partner of the consortium, the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICH) and the Technical University of Crete.
As the Director of MAICH, George Baourakis, told ARA-MPA, «participation in this action is very important, as MAICH's role in the management of climate change, which is one of the most important problems of our planet, is recognized internationally».
The holistic, technological ecosystem that will be developed will be tested in the Samaria Gorge in Crete in order to apply the test procedure in fire detection for the safe and quick evacuation of the gorge.
It will also be implemented in Norway, Italy, Romania, Spain, Austria, Germany, Italy, Romania, Spain, Austria, Germany, and Taiwan.
The HORIZON project, acronymed «DRYADS», has a total duration of 42 months and will be completed in May 2025, with a total budget of €22,820,000 and the participation of 46 partners from several European countries and an academic institution in Taiwan. The coordinating partner is the scientific institution RISE Fire Research AS from Norway.
Technology at the service of nature
The main objective of the project is the creation and implementation of a holistic, multi-factor platform that will modernize and strengthen the preparedness and effectiveness of fire management in the context of addressing the dangerous impacts of climate change on the natural environment and humans.
The DRYADS platform is to collect and process all available technological and social data for optimal use at all stages (Prevention, Detection, Response, Recovery) of fire management. Specifically, for the operational stages of detection and intervention, it is planned to provide specialised training for personnel using virtual reality methods and to supply special protective equipment and detection drones.
The participants in the programme held their first inter-domestic meeting due to the pandemic, and the first formal and physical meeting of the programme partners will take place next February in Trondheim, Norway.
