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| PRESIDENZA DEL CONSIGLIO DEI MINISTRI Dipartimento della protezione civile | REGIONE SICILIANA Dipartimento regionale della protezione civile |
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| PRESIDENZA DEL CONSIGLIO DEI MINISTRI Dipartimento della protezione civile | REGIONE SICILIANA Dipartimento regionale della protezione civile |
| Home | Esercitazione internazionale di protezione civile - Sicilia Orientale 14-16 ottobre 2005 |  |
The recent series of catastrophic events that have hit many European countries gives impetus to the significant drive towards more efficient forms of co-operation between the Civil Protection Departments of European Union countries. The “Community Mechanism” was created with this fundamental objective in mind in October 2001 by decision of the European Council.
The Italian Department of Civil Protection has always encouraged the regular exchange of information between all levels of the system and training activities; this includes training of the parties that intervene in the Civil Protection, due to the belief that these play a fundamental part in strengthening the system. In light of these assumptions, Italy has made the European Commission aware of its intention to organize international training operations, with the purpose of testing both the Italian model of Welcoming and Organising the International S.a.R teams (W.O.S.A.R.) and, more generally, the activation of the “Community Mechanism”. Many Member States are enthusiastic about the proposal, making themselves available to co-operate in the preparatory phases as well.
In January 2004, the European Commission approved an Italian proposal for an international training operation in the event of strong seismic activity in the area of Eastern Sicily (in the provinces of Catania, Siracusa and Ragusa, which have 1,727,414 inhabitants), with serious consequences for the industrial area of Priolo Gargallo. The hypothetical scenario consisted of an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale, with subsequent industrial damage. The estimated damages were as follows: 21,300 collapsed houses, over 106,000 houses unfit for use and more than 365,000 damaged units. This kind of event would also cause damage to the infrastructure (bridges, roads). There could be approximately 40,000 people affected by the fallen buildings, while more than 200,000 people would be left homeless.
The training operation will take place between 13 and 16 October 2005. This operation should highlight weaknesses of the System on the territory if an event of this magnitude should occur. All units and components of the National Civil Protection Service will be involved and France, Greece, Portugal, Sweden and the U.K will participate in the preparatory phase (Core Group) as well as during the operation, by sending experts and S.a.R (Search and Rescue) teams. One observer from each of the remaining 19 Member States and representatives of International Organisations (UN organisations, EU applications countries, EEA Countries, NATO, EUROMED Countries) have been invited to participate.
The objective of the training operation, on a national level, is to check the efficiency of the response system of the components and operative units of the National Civil Protection Service. A number of activities that are normally carried out during an emergency will also be carried out during the training operation. Areas where the operations teams will gather and coordination centres will be set up on the territory (DI.COMA.C, 3 CCS, 46 COM, 91 COC); an emergency communication system will be set up in Eastern Sicily; emergency sanitary and veterinary systems will be checked, as will the damage-measurement models and the conditions of the buildings to establish whether they are fit for use.
From a logistical point of view, planes and boats will be used, as is normally the case during emergencies, because they are essential for rescues and for situations which could otherwise be fatal. Obviously, the National Technical Services, who carry out a scientific analysis of the event, are already involved. Other subjects involved on the national territory are the Regions as well as local and national voluntary organisations. Companies that provide essential services are also called upon to participate. From an international point of view, the training operation is meant to evaluate Europe’s ability to deal with a large-scale disaster, testing the intervention model to reduce implementation and response times of the S.a.R. teams, as well as to improve the decision-making abilities at different levels of responsibility.
In particular, the objectives that are most closely linked to this are the following: - checking the “Community Mechanism” implementation procedures; - testing the Italian model of Welcoming and Organising the International S.a.R - EU teams (W.O.S.A.R.), also by setting up a reception desk office at the airport; - organising logistics, transport and coordination of the S.a.R. – EU teams; - checking on-site radio communications between S.a.R. – EU teams and coordination centres; - experimenting interoperability between the S.a.R. teams.
Experiences such as these certainly provide a significant push towards co-operation between Member States, with the aim of providing an efficient response to the risks that pose potential threats to European citizens. Amongst other things, the importance of the opportunity provided by this training operation to inform citizens of the dangers linked to such an event, which could really happen, should not be underestimated. In addition, there is also the opportunity of furthering specific knowledge and of carrying out studies which will allow the appropriate countermeasures to be taken if the worst-case scenario should arise.
