James Prineas: Open letter on the early detection system for fires in Kythera

Dear editors,

10 days ago I sent this letter to the city council, but I have not yet received a reply. One would expect that they would at least acknowledge receipt of the letter.

Perhaps if you published the letter, they would lower their standards and respond to an ordinary citizen like me.

Regards,

James Prineas

To:

κ. Spyros Fountoulakis

Commander of the Kythera Fire Brigade

and

κ. Mr. Yannis Katsanevakis

Deputy Mayor of Civil Protection

Municipality of Kythira

Country of Kythira

80100 Kythera Kythera, 6 March 2026

Subject: Early fire detection system in Kythera - request for institutional support

Dear Mr. Fountoulakis,

Dear Mr. Katsanevakis,

I am writing to you regarding the project for the installation of early fire detection cameras, which is already in a pilot phase in Kythera.

The aim of the initiative is simple: to create an early warning system that will allow smoke detection in the early stages of a fire, so that the Fire Service can intervene immediately before a small incident develops into a large fire. After the devastating fires that hit Kythera in 2025, it is obvious that any initiative that can improve early detection and prevention deserves serious and immediate attention.

Two pilot cameras have already been installed over Aroniadika, while additional units are currently being tested for their durability and reliability. The aim is to create a network of about 30 cameras at key points on the island, which will provide the Fire Service with real-time visual coverage of a large part of Kythera.

Such a system would allow a single firefighter to monitor dozens of surveillance points simultaneously, significantly improving the operational picture compared to the current situation where only one or two hills can be manned at a time.

The pilot phase of the system is being implemented with the knowledge and cooperation of the Kythera Fire Service and the competent Deputy Mayor of Civil Protection. The equipment and technical implementation of the project is covered through private initiative and with expected financial support from members of the Kythira expatriate community in Australia. Upon completion, the system will be available for use by the Fire Service and the Municipality of Kythera. without financial burden, including cameras, installation and the required internet connection.

In this way, Kythera has the opportunity to acquire a modern fire surveillance system without any financial burden for the Municipality or the Fire Service.

The funding opportunity from the Australian Kythera League is currently available, but will not remain open indefinitely. A decision in the next few weeks is necessary in order to secure these resources for Kythera.

For the sake of completeness I would also like to note that I am in communication with the Kythera Fire Service regarding this project since December 17, 2025, and with the Municipality of Kythera from the 17 January 2026. Despite the time that has elapsed, the only remaining administrative step to secure funding - namely the confirmation that will allow the cameras to be installed - has not yet been completed.

Given the progress of the proposal so far, it is reasonable to expect that, should Kythera face another difficult fire season without such a system installed, the question will inevitably arise as to why a ready and cost-free solution was not used in time.

Greek legislation provides a clear framework that allows both the Fire Service and the Municipality to operate such systems:

• The Law 2612/1998 gives the Fire Brigade the responsibility for forest firefighting and related prevention actions.

• The Law 4662/2020, which establishes the National Civil Protection Mechanism, gives the Fire Brigade and local authorities responsibilities for disaster prevention, risk monitoring and early warning systems.

In this context, the installation of technological systems that contribute to the detection of fires is clearly part of the responsibilities of both the Civil Protection and the Fire Service.

In order to avoid any doubt as to the administrative competence, I would like to propose two simple administrative solutions:

- If the Fire Service considers the system to be an operational tool, it can issue a simple cooperation protocol, accepting the use of the camera image in the context of its operational function.

- If the municipality considers the system to be part of the civil protection infrastructure, the Municipal Council may receive relevant decision approving the installation of cameras as civil protection infrastructure on municipal or community land.

Either of these two options would create the necessary institutional framework for the project to proceed.

In practice, the project simply requires a public authority to assume institutional responsibility for the operation of the system - either the Fire Service as an operational surveillance tool or the Municipality as a civil protection infrastructure.

Given the importance of fire prevention in Kythera, time is critical. Spring is the ideal period for the installation and testing of the system, as this is the season when burning of branches from pruning of olive trees takes place, which provides valuable real-world conditions for training both human observers and AI tools before the start of the fire season.

It is important to stress that this initiative is proposed as a contribution to the security of the whole island. The people of Kythera, having experienced the consequences of recent fires, rightly expect that any reasonable measure that can improve early detection will be seriously considered.

Following the devastating fires of recent years, it is clear that any available measure that can improve prevention must be considered with due seriousness. When a fully functioning system is offered to the island at no financial cost, it would be difficult to explain to the local community why such an opportunity was not taken advantage of.

For this reason, I sincerely hope that the necessary institutional support can be provided to make the system operational before the next fire season, for the benefit of the island's safety.

Given that the system can be implemented either under the responsibility of the Fire Service or under the responsibility of the Municipality, the only essential question that remains is which of the two institutions will choose to take responsibility for the implementation of this important protection for Kythera.

Sincerely,

James Prineas

Kythera, 6 March 2026