Upon the invitation of the Ministry for climate crisis and civil protection of the Hellenic Republic, Head of Secretariat participated at the EFDRR Action oriented dialogue in Athens (21 October 2022). The entire event was organized as a combination of working laboratories and a ministerial round table. During the working laboratories the topics of heat waves as major threats to our resilience was discussed in combination with the increased frequency of forest fires. During the ministerial round table the Head of Secretariat spoke about the achievements of DPPI SEE as a unique platform for collaboration and expressed support to the draft conclusions.

Last week representatives from DPPI SEE member states had the opportunity to participate at the Seminar on the application of the SEVESO III Directive for underground storage of natural gas in Sibiu, Romania. The event organized by the Romanian General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations and under the auspices of their Presidency with the Council of the European Union. Topics on underground storage and distribution of natural gas, production and storage of biogas and LNG-bunkering, storage and distribution were covered. At the second day of the seminar the participants visited ROMGAZ Information and documentation center in Medias and observed practical implementation of SEVESO III. 

• Image Gallery

This week under the framework of IPA DRAM workshop on one of the program results was organized in Rome. The Electronic Regional Risk Atlas was presented during the workshop enabling the participants to test its capabilities through series of practical exercises. Despite IPA DRAM beneficiary countries, who are in the same time DPPI SEE member states, participants from Bulgaria and Romania also followed the workshop and contributed to its final outcome. There is an ongoing consultation process towards continuation of this particular activity under DPPI SEE when IPA DRAM ends in November 2019. As a tool the Electronic Regional Risk Atlas creates opportunities for enhanced regional cooperation in several areas like risk assessment and risk mapping, development of risk scenarios with trans boundary effects and by connection to existing historical global data sets it gives us overview of past events. Back to back to the ERRA workshop the Steering committee of IPA DRAM had its session where overview of overall program was given and future activities presented.

• Image Gallery

Upon the invitation of the Protection and Rescue Directorate of Montenegro, Head of Secretariat at DPPI SEE participated at the EU BALANCE field exercise as lead trainer. Together with the Head of Secretariat the exercise was also supported by the Finance/Admin assistant and the two interns from Lund University – Masters program of disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, Spilios Iliopoulos and Tjorben Niklas Zenker.  The exercise was used to test Host Nation Support elements during a massive earthquake. International teams present together with the EUCPT and the national response dealt with USAR operations, first medical aid and medical transportation, firefighting operations, protection of cultural heritage and also applied rescue procedures including vulnerable groups. This was the final event of the EU BALANCE project and we are looking forward to the lessons learned event that will follow. Head of Secretariat also gave a statement to the national TV emphasizing the importance of the event and the preparations needed to host such an exercise.

The event was hosted and organized by AFAD (Republic of Turkey Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Authority) with an objective to facilitate better understanding of DRR in the scope of “Safe School” initiative and illustrate the role and interoperability of different stakeholders (Ministries of Education, Disaster and Emergency Management Authorities of the SEE in application of DRR measures in a safe environment (e.g. schools).

The purpose of the two-day discussion platform was to provide the opportunity for information and experience sharing on DRR activities undertaken / to be undertaken under the “Safe School” Initiative. At the same time, by visiting an educational institution in the scope of “Safe School”, the event allowed participants to observe if the objectives of Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) had been achieved.  
 

The host (AFAD) shared information about the on-going project “Disaster Prepared School Campaign” activities taken in the scope of “Safe School”. The role and interoperability of different governmental institutions and measures taken for structural retrofitting in schools were described by the Republic of Turkey Ministry of National Education, while Istanbul Project Coordination Unit (IPCU) created under İstanbul Provincial Special Administration presented the “Istanbul Seismic Risk Mitigation and Emergency Preparedness Project (ISMEP)”. 
 

• Event Report
• Final Agenda

• Invitation
• Administrative Information
• Draft Agenda
• Report on the Event

The Conference on forest fires prevention and preparedness was heldon 22-23 February 2018 in Podgorica (Montenegro). Conference was organised within the DPPI SEE Disaster Management Training Programme (DMTP) and represents Montenegrin contribution to the Programme for the year 2018. The Conference was host by the Ministry of Interior – Directorate for Emergency Management of Montenegro, and co-organised with the National Protection and Rescue Directorate of the Republic of Croatia.

The main objective of the conference was to provide a platform for an exchange of information on best practices, experiences and lessons learnt of the DPPI SEE member countries and wide, relating to the prevention, preparedness and response in case of forest fires. The conference represented the reflection on forest fires which were affected the Mediterranean region during the summer period 2017.

The target audience was directors-general/Heads of the National emergency management/civil protection authority and experts in the field of fire protection or civil protection in DPPI SEE member countries and wider.

The conference was chaired by the Mr. Mirsad Mulić, Director General for Emergency Management of Ministry of Interior of Montenegro and Mr. Dragan Lozančić, Director General of the National Protection and Rescue Directorate of the Republic of Croatia.

The conference was attended by about 90 participants from different Montenegrin ministries, agencies, administrations, associations and local authorities (Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Army of Montenegro, National Parks of Montenegro, Red Cross of Montenegro, Municipal Protection and Rescue Services and Firefighting Volunteer Associations), DPPI SEE member countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, Slovenia, and Serbia), Italian Civil Protection Department and DG ECHO – Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations.

In accordance with agenda participants from Montenegro and above mentioned DPPI SEE member countries, Italian Civil Protection Department and DG ECHO – Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations presented issues relating to prevention and preparedness for forest fires as well as an exchanged views and discussed about response capacities, experiences and lessons learnt from fire season 2017 with focus on strengthening on regional cooperation.

Main conclusions of the Conference are: continuing with enhancing and strengthening regional cooperation in the field of civil protection especially in area of prevention, preparedness and response in case of forest fires, simplifying procedures for sending international assistance; continuing with organization similar conferences, trainings and other events in order to improve and strengthen administrative and response capacities of DPPI SEE member countries and wider, strengthening regional capacities for responding in the event of forest fires, enhancing information and knowledge between DPPI SEE member countries and wider  relating to the fire prevention measures, exchanging and sharing information relating to fire protection legal framework, working on strengthening trust among DPPI SEE members and other actors and etc

Presentations:

• Federal Aadministration of Civil Protection, FBiH
• Direktorat za šumarstvo, lovstvo i drvnu industriju, Vlada Crne Gore
• Forest Fires - season 2017, DG ECHO
• Civil Protection Administration, Republika Srpska Government
• General Inspectorate for Emergency situation, Forest Fires Level of Preparedness of Romania
• Italian Civil Protection Department
• Forest and Wild Fire Season in Bulgaria, "Fire Safety and Civil protection" DG Ministry of Interior
• Forest fires prevention and preparedness and lessons learnt after forest fires season 2017 in the Republic of Macedonia
• National parks of Montenegro -fight with a fire
• Sherbimi i Mbrojtjes nga Zjarri dhe Shpëtimit FIRE FIGHTER AND RESCUE SERVICE
• Preparing for Forest Fires in Croatia 2018, NATIONAL PROTECTION AND RESCUE DIRECTORATE FIRE FIGHTING SECTOR, Croatia
• Protection and Rescue System in Montenegro Fire season 2017
• Municipality of Herceg Novi
• 2017 Fire Season - Croatian Coastal Area
• Wildfires in Serbia
• WILD FOREST FIRE IN DIVAČA AREA, 3th and 4th AUGUST 2017

Appendix:

• List of Participants
• Agenda
• Report on Event
• Image gallery

The seminar was hosted by the Sector for Emergency Management of the Serbian Ministry of Interior and represents Serbian contribution to the DPPI SEE Disaster Management Training Programme for the year 2017. 

Target Audience were professionals engaged in awareness raising on the seminar topic  as well as the SEE civil protection experts responsible for development and monitoring of the impelmenation of national emergency response plans.

• Final Agenda
• Event Report
• Image Gallery

Representatives of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia participated in the seminar.

The workshop was Bulgarian contribution to the Disaster Management Training Project for 2012 of the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South Eastern Europe and was organized by Fire Safety and Civil Protection Chief Directorate, Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The workshop was held in Sofia on 27 and 28 November 2012 in Vitosha Park Hotel, 1 Rosario str. (http://www.vitoshaparkhotel.com/)

The aim of the workshop was to share experiences and best practices and to provoke discussions on the ways for enhancing the role of volunteers and voluntary units in the states in SEE region in disaster response and humanitarian aid operations as well as to outline areas of possible future cooperation.

Following the success of the DPPI SEE Disaster Risk Reduction project that was implemented from 2009 to 2012, National Protection and Rescue Directorate of the Republic of Croatia has organized a Disaster Risk Reduction for Teachers Training Course in a twining model. This event represents the Croatian and Slovenian contribution to the Disaster Management Training Programme for 2014 of the DPPI SEE.
 
The course has provided basic information on disaster risk reduction concepts and guidance, including the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), and in depth orientation on the Priority 3 of the HFA. The course has also built upon participants’ existing knowledge base in a way that they could relate disaster risk reduction issues in practical terms to their day-to-day work in schools and implement important information on DRR into their lectures.
 
The aim of the Course was to help teachers develop an understanding of the link between DRR and everyday lessons and give them an opportunity to practice the acquired knowledge.
 
The course was attended by representatives of 7 (out 9) DPPI SEE member countries (Albania, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey). 

• The Course Outline
• List of participants
• Photo Gallery
• Report on the Event

The training was co-organised by the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (ACPDR) and supported by the Republic Administration of Civil Protection of the Republic of Srpska, Cave rescue unit-Ponir, Cave Rescue Service of the Republic of Slovenia (CRSS), as well as by the Mountain Rescue Service of Serbia (MRSS), Commission for Rescue in Vertical Conditions) and Croatian Mountain Rescue Service (HGSS).

The programme is primarily aimed at volunteer speleologists of caving clubs, fire-fighters, police officers, soldiers, health workers and other interested protection, rescue and relief forces whose members have passed the speleologist’s examination or have completed equivalent national programs for independent caving activity and have sufficient experience in the field with excellent knowledge of rope technique (SRT).

The training was implemented as a combined structure of theoretical lectures and practical work given and supervised by the licensed teachers and instructors from the Training Centre for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief of the Republic of Slovenia (ACPDR). The training programme ‘’Cave Rescuer’’ is approved and signed by the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia.

This year's training was the seventh organized within the DPPI SEE framework and as part of the DPPI SEE Disaster Management Training Programme. 30 participants from eight (8) countries participated at the event (Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia, Macedonia, Slovenia and Serbia).

• Training Programme
• Report on the Event
• Image gallery

​Target audience of the training were professional operational fire-fighters and commanders from the DPPI SEE member countries. Total of 15 professionals from seven (7) DPPI SEE member countries participated in the training.

• Event Report
• Training Programme
• Image gallery

Following the success of the 2014 Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for Teachers course, Croatia once again contributed to the DPPI SEE Disaster Management Training Programme with a follow-up 2015 course on the same subject. The course was prepared and hosted by the Croatian National Protection and Rescue Directorate (NPRD).
 
DRR for Teachers Course was attended by 14 participants from 8 DPPI SEE member states (Albania, Bosna and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and, Slovenia) and with facilitation from Croatia (6 facilitators from NPRD, UNICEF and Croatian Red Cross).
 
The course focused on how to include risk reduction in school curricula with basics on disaster risk reduction concepts and guidance, including the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) and Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. The course aimed to relate participants’ newly acquired knowledge of disaster risk reduction in practical terms to their day-to-day work with children. The course also enabled participants to apply practice to a case study that further resulted in DRR inclusive lectures at the end of the course. Participants were divided into four groups (Outbreak, Twister, Avalanche and Volcano) and were given a task to come up with a way of including DRR related topics into geography curricula. Block/presentation evaluation was conducted on a daily basis by participants and on the last day of the course participants completed a final course evaluation form.
 
Conclusions& recommendations resulting from the facilitators’ meeting held at the end of the course, including the more detailed information about the course, can be found in the “Event Report_DRR for Teachers_2015”.

• Course Timetable DRR for Teachers 2015
• List of participants
• Course Evaluation Summary DRR for Teachers 2015
• Image Gallery
   

The event representing Macedonian contribution to the DPPI SEE DMTP for the year 2104 was hosted and organized by the Protection and Rescue Directorate of Macedonia with support from the Operation Florian, UK. The planning process of the event itself took around 2 months and included not only all the fire chiefs in Macedonia but also all the relevant organizations responsible for road traffic safety. The Challenge itself is part of a wider national campaign that promotes road traffic safety elements and accordingly supports the UN decade for traffic safety. Representatives of 5 DPPI SEE member states (Albania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Slovenia and Turkey) took part in the Observers Programme of the challenge.

Theaim of the Extrication Challenge was to bring together teams of rescue personnel who are committed to not only displaying their ability but also to expanding their practical skills by learning from and teaching others involved in the same field (detailed information on the challenge can be found in the (“National Road Traffic Collision Extrication Challenge - OVERVIEW”).

The training was hosted by the Ministry of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and co-organised in cooperation with the DPPI SEE, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Balkan Institute for Risk Assessment and Emergency Management (BIEM). The training course was organized within the framework of Regional Programme on Disaster Risk Reduction in South Eastern Europe, United Nations Development Programme in Bosnia and Herzegovina, implemented in cooperation with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and European Commission, together with relevant partners from eight IPA funds beneficiaries in SEE (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Turkey and Kosovo under UNSCR 1244/99). The event was attended by representatives of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia as well as by representative of Danish emergency management agency (DEMA).

Following the success of the DPPI SEE Disaster Risk Reduction project that was implemented from 2009 to 2012, National Protection and Rescue Directorate of the Republic of Croatia and Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief of the Republic of Slovenia organized Disaster Risk Reduction Training Course in the twining model as a joint Croatian& Slovenian contribution to the Disaster Management Training Programme for 2014 of the DPPI SEE. 

A total of eight (8) DPPI SEE member countries (16 participants) took part in this year’s course.

With support from Croatian and Slovenian facilitators, the course provided in depth orientation on disaster risk reduction concepts and guidance, including the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA), as well as understanding of the key aspects and activities of response and recovery. The course also built upon participants’ existing knowledge base so they can relate disaster risk reduction issues in practical terms to their day-to-day work responsibilities.

More concrete aim of the course was to develop DRR related project proposal with multinational/regional implementation for the benefit of the DPPI SEE member countries.

• Lisrt of Participants
• Photo gallery
• Course Outline
• Report on the Event

This year’s DPPI SEE Cave Rescue Training (6th in the row) is hosted by Sector for Emergency Management of the Republic of Serbia and represents Serbian contribution to the DPPI SEE Disaster Management Training Programme for 2014.  The training was co-organised by the Slovenian Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, Slovenian Cave Rescue Service and Serbian Mountain Rescue Service.

The aim of the training was to strengthen the human capacities of the participating countries in the field of prevention of and response to disasters, as well as to improve and further widen cooperation of national protection and rescue services of the SEE countries while practicing in accordance with the standardised cave rescue procedures.
More than 120 representatives of competent civil protection services of the DPPI SEE member countries have so far participated in the cave rescue trainings organised in the framework of the DPPI SEE.
As part of the 6th DPPI SEE Cave Rescue Training (CRT) a special (final) exercise was organised on 18th Sep 2014 in the Resava river canyon with the scenario of an evacuation on the stretcher from a deeper cave. In addition to the representatives of the training organisers, the exercise was also observed by high-level representatives of the Republic of Slovenia’s Embassy in Belgrade.

• National Media
• Image gallery
• Report on the Event

​Most of the world's population now lives in cities, with the majority living in cities of less than 500.000 people. Cities are increasingly the scenes of humanitarian crises, and this trend is likely to continue. Recent major emergencies in the region of SEE have highlighted the particular and increasing vulnerability of urban areas to disasters. Due to the floods among other consequences, water supply systems have been damaged and totally interrupted in some municipalities. In the immediate aftermath of the flooding the access to clean and safe water was hindered and threat of water-borne diseases was serious. These events have also highlighted the need for strong Urban WASH capacity in the region.

The Urban WASH in emergencies training course was co-organized by RedR UK and the Protection and Rescue Directorate of the Republic of Macedonia under the DPPI SEE Disaster Management Training Programme for the year 2014. 18 participants from 9 DPPI SEE member countries had the opportunity to learn more about the challenges for disaster response in differing urban contexts and emergency contexts and how to effectively coordinate/ collaborate and manage WASH responses in urban disasters using a multi-sector approach.

• Urban Emergencies Report RedR UK
• RdR UK Training Report Urban WASH DPPI SEE
• List of Participants
• Photo Gallery

This training was hosted by the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (ACPDR) within the DPPI SEE Disaster Management Training Programme 2016, and was co-organised/managed by the Slovenian Canine Associations (SCA) and the Association of Rescue Dog Handlers of Slovenia (ARDHS). The training is certified by the Minister of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia.

The target audience were dog handlers with rescue dogs, who are assigned to units for the search of missing and tapped persons, or who, after such training, will qualify for such units in the future, as well as representatives of civil protection and other organisations associated with search and rescue. Prior knowledge was not required.

• Training objectives, among others, included:  
• Understanding the basics of socialisation, education and training of rescue dogs.
• Understanding the stages of education of rescue dogs.
• Understanding the types and procedures of searching injured persons trapped under rubble.
• To understand the method and procedures of searching missing persons on terrain.
• To understand the basics of first aid and first veterinary aid.
• To understand communication methods.
• To understand international guidance, their application and to understand the work procedures in missions.

The training was attended by fifteen (15) participants from eight (8) DPPI SEE member countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Turkey.

• Training Schedule
• Event Report
• Evaluation Summary
• Image Gallery