The year 2025 was a difficult one for the Fire Service in Crete, with outbreaks of fire exacerbated by high summer temperatures and gale force winds in many places. The worst outbreak was near Ierapetra in July, when a major conflagration was fought by more than 230 firefighters along with 46 vehicles and 10 helicopters, and 1,500 residents and visitors had to be evacuated from four villages.
According to the news site Kriti360.gr, 2026 is also a critical year for the Fire Service, since it brings the retirement of six high-ranking officers, the cohort of 1991 who are facing obligatory retirement after 35 years of service. The decision has been confirmed by the head of the national Fire Service Lieutenant General Theodoros Vagias, whose own position was renewed by decision of the Government Council for National Security (KYSEA) on 11th January.
Among those retiring is the deputy head of the national Fire Service Major General Georgios Markoulakis, who is a native of Chania. Other changes have involved a number of promotions in the Regional Fire Service for Crete. The post of Regional Director in Crete has been taken on by Brigadier Xenofondas Tsilimigakis, formerly Director of Fire Services for Chania.
The heads of local government bodies have sent letters of congratulation both to Mr Tsilimigakis and to the outgoing Director Michalis Seliniotakis, who has taken on the post of Director of Operations for the North and South Aegean regions and Crete. A recent article in the Haniotika Nea summarises the letters, which are fulsome in their praise of the officers named:
Handing over the baton in the Cretan fire Service
The baton is being handed over in the leadership of the Cretan Fire Service in Crete after the recent crises which affected the organisation, with local government sending a message of confidence in the new leadership, but also recognition of the contribution of the departing officers.
Commenting on the retirement of the deputy head of the Fire Service Lieutenant General Giorgos Markoulakis, a native of Chania, the Deputy Regional Governor for Chania Nikos Kalogeris publicly thanked him for his long and substantial career in the Fire Service, noting his high sense of responsibility and excellent cooperation during all the previous years.
The Regional Governor of Crete Stavros Arnautakis, in his comments, emphasised that the Regional Authority will continue to give practical support to the Fire Service, noting the importance of cooperation for civil protection, the safety of citizens and preservation of the island’s natural wealth.
At the same time Brigadier Xenofondas Tsilimigakis is taking on the role of Regional Director of Fire Services for Crete, receiving congratulations from various local government institutions. … Messages of congratulation were received from the Mayors of Apokoronas Haralambos Koukianakis and Platanias Giannis Malandrakis, who in addition to sending their good wishes for the new appointment, recognised the outgoing deputy fire chief’s long service.
For its part the Municipality of Platanias brought up once again the longstanding issue of the creation of a permanent fire station in the Municipality, “an issue which arises from the [Municipality’s] geographical extent, the area’s morphology, the increase in tourist activity and the particular needs for fire protection, especially during the no-fires period, with the aim of protecting human lives, property and our natural environment.”
The changes in the leadership of the fire service in Crete are being carried out in a period of increased challenges, with the climate crisis, pressures from tourism and the extreme weather phenomena which make operational readiness and service coordination vital elements in the safety of the island.
(Haniotika Nea 14/01/26)
A letter from the Mayor of Chania
In his letter of congratulation to Xenofondas Tsilimigakis, which is characteristic of those sent, the Mayor of Chania Panagiotis Simandirakis said:
“I would like to give my most heartfelt and sincere congratulations for every success to my fellow countryman Brigadier Xenofontas Tsilimigakis, who is talking on his new and especially demanding responsibilities as Regional Director of Fire Services in Crete. His appointment to such a key position is a practical recognition of his lengthy career and the high sense of responsibility which distinguishes him.
“As Director of Fire Services in Chania he demonstrated his professionalism, his effectiveness and his deep knowledge of the peculiarities of our area. His contribution to boosting civil protection in the region and his management of critical and demanding situations was decisive, leaving a positive impact both for the Fire Service and for the local community.
“On behalf of the Municipality of Chania and the Municipal Council, we express our full support of the work of the new Director and wish him wholeheartedly strength and health, so that he may accomplish his difficult and complex task with consistency, responsibility and effectiveness.”
(Haniotika Nea, 13/01/26)
Change of guard at Chania Fire Services
With the departure of Brigadier Xenofondas Tsilimigakis as Director of Fire Services in Chania, the post is being taken on by the current director of the 1st Chania Fire Station Stavros Kalogiannakis, who is promoted to colonel.
The outgoing director of Chania Fire Service, Colonel Argyris Regas, is transferred to the 2nd Special Disaster Response Unit (EMAK) of Thessaloniki, with promotion to the rank of Brigadier. The Union of Fire Service Personnel of the Nomos of Chania have issued a statement congratulating Mr Regas on his promotion. Referring to his term of duty in Chania, the statement praises his efforts in a particularly difficult period for the services, marked by lack of staff and increased operational demands. The Union wish him every success in his new, increased responsibilities.
(Haniotika Nea, 17/01/26)