Firefighters on the Greek island of Crete are raising concerns over staffing shortages and mounting fatigue just weeks before the start of the wildfire season, warning that current conditions could undermine operational readiness.

Local firefighter unions say crews are already stretched thin, despite an official classification that labels parts of the island—particularly the Heraklion region—as “overstaffed.” They argue the designation does not reflect real-world demands in an area considered high-risk for wildfires.

According to union representatives, many firefighters are working extended hours, with hundreds of owed days off and leave still ungranted since as far back as 2021 due to chronic understaffing. Some report being assigned to multiple emergency vehicles at the same time because there are not enough personnel to fully staff each unit.

“Services don’t have enough staff to function properly,” a union official said, describing situations where a single crew must cover multiple vehicles, forcing teams to respond to incidents with limited resources while others remain unavailable.

Firefighters also highlighted structural challenges unique to the island. Crete’s geographic isolation means reinforcements are harder to deploy quickly, while key facilities such as airports and ports require dedicated personnel who cannot be reassigned to wildfire response.

Union estimates suggest that dozens of additional firefighters are needed in the Heraklion region alone to ensure both operational efficiency and compliance with labor standards, including proper rest periods and leave.

The issue has sparked further tension as firefighters pursue legal action over unpaid overtime and accumulated leave, with representatives stating that court rulings have increasingly supported their claims. However, they say authorities have yet to implement broader reforms or compensation measures.