Hundreds of firefighters in Thessaloniki, Greece, lined up their fire brigades outside AHEPA University Hospital, turned on their emergency lights and started to applaud the medical staff who have been tirelessly offering treatment to COVID-19 patients.
The impressive gesture went on for minutes, with AHEPA doctors, nurses and paramedics going outside the hospital to see the firefighters pay tribute to their courageous efforts, and return their respects as well.
“We are here to offer moral support to medical and nursing staff. It is the least we can do to give them strength until we overcome this crisis, “ Spyros Varsamis, Head of the Fire Brigade in Northern Greece, said.
“Be strong, be healthy and we will be by your side. Thank you!”
For his part, the general manager of AHEPA, Panagiotis Panteliadis, also publicly thanked the hospital staff, as well as the firefighters for their sign of respect.
“It is a recognition of the hospital’s efforts, which, as a reference center for the virus, has been significantly burdened,” Mr Panteliadis to local media.
The touching event took place just hours after the Minister for Citizen Protection deployed police squads to Evaggelismos Hospital in Athens to “deal” with doctors and nurses demanding more protections while they are fighting the coronavirus.
