The first edition of the General Assembly of Civil Protection has concluded. Over the course of three days, participants engaged in discussions and dialogue with the system’s key stakeholders, exploring various issues fundamental to the daily work of everyone involved in the civil protection field.
The key priorities identified during the event include strengthening the country’s response capacity, proposing additional actions to encourage public-private partnerships, enhancing local civil protection efforts, and improving coordination in prevention activities. These insights were shared by Fabio Ciciliano, the Head of Department, during the three-day event attended by 282 operators and administrators from 89 institutions, along with 227 delegates participating in the thematic panels.
“The government must present Parliament with the insights gathered over the past few days and use them as the foundation for the reform of the Civil Protection Code that we have strongly supported,” said Nello Musumeci, the Minister for Sea Policies and Civil Protection, during his closing remarks at the first General Assembly of Civil Protection.
The General Assembly concluded with a discussion titled “On that April 6, 2009, in L’Aquila,” featuring Guido Bertolaso, who was the Head of the Civil Protection Department during the tragic earthquake that struck Abruzzo 16 years ago, along with journalist Guido Del Turco. In his speech, Bertolaso emphasized, “Civil Protection is established, thrives, and serves its purpose only if it can provide help, assistance, and rescue to anyone in need. This is the guiding principle for all those involved in civil protection.”
As highlighted by the contributions from the six thematic panels, civil protection activities consist of institutional actions involving a range of expertise across multiple disciplines. These include technical-scientific, legal, socio-cultural, and communicative knowledge. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain active exchanges among these fields and to gradually incorporate insights from new and additional disciplines. This approach will enhance the work of “civil protection specialists” and contribute to their continual improvement.
Therefore, the role of science and technological innovations, which have gained significant influence in recent years, is crucial. Additionally, it is essential to raise awareness among citizens about effective civil protection practices that enhance their understanding of the risks present in Italy.
The “Legislation” panel delved into potential changes and innovations that could be introduced with the reform of the Civil Protection Code. Various contributions and proposals were presented on key topics, including the criminal liability of sector operators and the need for administrative simplification.
The panel on “Prevention” focused on the primary risks facing Italy, including flooding, seismic activity, and volcanic eruptions, as well as emerging risks. The discussion included an analysis of various risk scenarios to identify integrated and sustainable strategies for protecting citizens and the territory. Additionally, the panel examined the roles and competencies of the different stakeholders involved in managing these risks across the territory.
The panel on “Volunteering” discussed potential strategies to create a more organized system for volunteering. Various future scenarios were analyzed to identify the best path forward. The panel ultimately concentrated on issues of responsibility, the protection of volunteers, and the importance of attracting new generations to get involved.
The “Emergencies” panel focused on potential future challenges related to national and international emergency scenarios. It acknowledges the emergence of new threats, such as migration crises and pandemics, alongside traditional risks. Traditional and new risks demand more complex management and a more coordinated, specialized, and comprehensive response capacity. In conclusion, the panel examined the relationships with the scientific community and military organizations.
During the “Territory” panel, attendees discussed how to strengthen response capacity through improved inter-institutional coordination, which can enhance the effectiveness of territorial administrations. The panel emphasized the principles of subsidiarity and proximity in civil protection. Additionally, there was a focus on the role of municipal administrations, training initiatives, and considerations for individuals with disabilities.
The last panel centered on “Technology,” focusing on the innovation in telecommunications systems and the integration of various communication systems used by civil protection authorities. Special emphasis was placed on cybersecurity in civil protection, the IT-alert public warning system, and the utilization of drones.
Fonte : Protezione Civile
