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Father Fotios of Lofou told Kathimerini how a village bell and a mobile app helped alert residents to evacuate during the Limassol wildfire.
“When the evacuation message arrived on our phones, the first thing I did was ring the village bell so those who didn’t get the alert would come outside,” he said.
Father Fotios said the bell system was upgraded three months ago with Wi-Fi technology and a mobile app that allows remote activation.
“As soon as the message came through, I pressed the button on my phone,” he said. “While I was in the center of the village, the bell started ringing in an emergency rhythm so people would know this was not a regular service, that something was happening, and they needed to come outside.”
The bell drew out elderly residents and children from a nearby camp who had not received the alert, he said. “We were able to tell them that we had to leave the village,” he said.
Father Fotios said the technology, similar to smart home systems, proved its value during the evacuation. “It turned out to be far more useful than in the church’s daily routine,” he said. “It made us realize this system is truly meant for emergencies.”
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