In this interview marking International Women’s Day 2026, Colonel Ntasiou shares reflections on leadership, representation and the role that rights, justice and meaningful action must play in shaping more inclusive civil protection systems.
For Colonel Zisoula Ntasiou, Chief Commander of the Attica Regional Coordination Center of the Hellenic Fire Service, civil protection is about responsibility, resilience and service to society. Over the course of her career, she has navigated the challenges of a traditionally male-dominated profession while advocating for greater recognition and opportunities for women in emergency services.
It was not simply a career choice — it was a calling.
You have built a distinguished career in the Hellenic Fire Service and now serve in a senior leadership role. Can you share a bit about your background and what first inspired you to enter civil protection and pursue a path in firefighting and forestry?
My journey began as a forestry student at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in the School of Forestry and Natural Environment. During our practical training in 1996 and 1997 at the University Forest of Pertouli, my fellow students and I volunteered for fire patrols and staffed fire lookout towers to help protect the forest from wildfires.
We were young, but we deeply understood that we were entrusted with something sacred. Protecting that forest — even in a small way — shaped me profoundly. It was not just about preventing fire; it was about responsibility, respect for nature, and service to society. Those long hours in the watchtowers taught me vigilance, teamwork, and the meaning of civil protection at its most human level.
When forest firefighting responsibilities were transferred in 1998 from the Forest Service to the Fire Service, my decision felt inevitable. It was not simply a career choice — it was a calling. I wanted to stand where action meets responsibility. I wanted to protect lives, ecosystems, and communities. That commitment has guided me ever since.
Fire services have traditionally been male-dominated environments. What challenges did you encounter as a woman in this field, and how did you navigate them?
It is still a male-dominated environment — not only in Greece, but in many countries. And the challenges are not always about physical strength. Women do not always have equal access to opportunities, even for leadership or strategic roles where competence, vision, and resilience matter far more than muscle.
As a woman, I often felt that I had to work twice as hard to prove my worth. There are disappointments. There are moments when you feel overlooked or unfairly judged. But you learn to lift your head high. You refuse to give up. You focus on what you love and you fight for it.
We need every capable mind, every committed heart, and every skilled professional. Civil protection cannot succeed if half of society feels undervalued.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” What does this theme mean to you in the context of civil protection?
This is a powerful theme. Yes, we ask for equal rights in civil protection. Yes, we ask for equal opportunities. Yes, we ask for equal respect and recognition. But above all, we ask for justice and meritocracy — and it is time for action.
In the era of climate change, the disasters we face do not discriminate. Wildfires, floods, earthquakes — they affect us all. In those moments, we cannot afford exclusion. We need every capable mind, every committed heart, and every skilled professional. Civil protection cannot succeed if half of society feels undervalued.
We do not have the luxury of division. We need everyone. Only together can we build resilient communities.
There is space for you in this field. And your presence will make it better.
What advice would you give to young women and girls who are considering a career in firefighting or emergency services?
You do not need to be flawless to reach your dreams. You do not need to meet every expectation to deserve appreciation. You do not need to be perfect to succeed. You only need to be yourself.
Believe in your values. Strength is not only physical — it is emotional intelligence, resilience, empathy, and integrity. These qualities are powerful in emergency services.
There is space for you in this field. And your presence will make it better.
Which issues related to rights, equity or inclusion in civil protection matter most to you, and how do you promote action on these through your professional responsibilities?
What matters most to me is creating an environment where women feel heard, valued, and supported.
I try to stay in close contact with women within the Service. I listen to them. I try to understand their concerns. I aim to give them strength and
Leadership, to me, should resemble motherhood in its values — not in gender, but in spirit. A mother supports all her children, strives to be fair, helps them grow with principles, and takes pride in their achievements. This kind of leadership — inclusive, just, and nurturing — is rare in large, hierarchical organisations. But it is the leadership I aspire to practice.
Whenever I am in male-dominated environments, I consciously try to bring more women into the room. Representation matters. Visibility matters. The more women present, the more normal it becomes — and the easier the path for the next generation.
This is the action I choose: steady, persistent, human-centered leadership.
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