Mountain rescue on Olympus
The mountain rescue at Mount Olympus is mainly operated by the fire brigade in Litochoro ( Greek Πυροσβεστική Υπηρεσία Λιτοχώρου Pyrosvestiki Ypiresia Litochorou ) and by the Hellenic Rescue Team (HRT) ( Greek λλληνικς in Thessaloniki ) with its main seat in Thessaloniki Δλ δ .
General
Mount Olympus is the most visited mountain in Greece by hikers and mountaineers and unfortunately also the front runner in terms of the number of accidents. The operations of the mountain rescuers are almost exclusively caused by accidents; sudden illness or the search for missing people play a subordinate role. More than 80% of all accidents occur on the Macedonian side of the mountain, as the most important hiking routes run here.
The principle applies that the organization that is closest to the scene of the accident and that has enough personnel for the rescue takes over the operation.
In the case of minor injuries, such as sprains, injured persons are transported away, if possible with mules. More seriously injured people are transported on stretchers or, in the worst case, by helicopter.
Most problems arise with hikers or mountaineers who hike or climb alone and / or poorly prepared.
fire Department
The mountain rescue on Olympus by the fire brigade is carried out by the fire station in Litochoro. It is the officially commissioned state body to rescue people who have had an accident, but can be supported by volunteer organizations such as HRT. All accidents that occur in the mountain must be reported to the fire brigade, regardless of whether the injured can be looked after in a hut or whether another organization takes care of the victim.
Of the 40 firefighters in Litochoro, around 20 firefighters are trained to work as mountain rescuers. You have mountain and rescue equipment for simple and medium-sized rescue missions. In extreme terrain, such as gorges or steep slopes, a specially trained rescue team (2nd ΕΜΑΚ, Thessaloniki) is called in. The rescue team is deployed 15 to 20 times a year.
All rescuers are of course trained in first aid. Since there is no doctor on the rescue team, the fire brigade in Thessaloniki calls for advice from a doctor in unclear cases. In the event of serious injuries, an Air Force helicopter is requested from Elefsina near Athens. The flight time to Olympus is around an hour.
Hellenic Rescue Team (Elliniki Omada Diasosis)
The Hellenic Rescue Team is an association of volunteers who have committed to help in the following situations:
- Help with emergencies and disasters such as earthquakes. Rescuing individuals or groups in distress (snow, floods, forest fires). Carrying out search operations for missing and casualties, especially in mountainous regions or sea areas
- Natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, avalanches, etc.)
- Disasters (forest fires, accidents, etc.)
- Crises (wars and their consequences)
- In any other extraordinary situation, comparable to natural or anthropogenic disasters
There is close cooperation with related organizations in other countries. In addition to the exchange of experiences, joint training courses take place. There are also connections to the Greek Army and the Greek Air Force.
Emergency numbers
112 - General emergency number
199 - Emergency call from the fire brigade
2310-310649 - Emergency number for the headquarters of the Hellenic Rescue Team in Thessaloniki
The radio frequency 146500, which is constantly monitored by the HRT and the fire department.