Managing Emergency Situations in unconventional scenarios: Cepol Course 44/2017

One of the demanding challenges in emergency management, especially those concerning the release of Chemical, Biological and Radiological agents, is how to coordinate first responders, law enforcement agencies, communication experts healthcare services, and to guarantee an effective information flow at strategic, operative and tactic level.

Moreover, when an emergency situation turns to be of such proportions that local and national resources are overwhelmed, further issues concerning international cooperation emerges.

At the European level, a number of initiatives have been put in place and promoted in order to provide support and guidance for a more effective emergency management, including the institution of the Emergency Response and Coordination Centre (ERCC), connected with the national contact points, which is able to provide support to a stricken Member state through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, following the Integrated Political Crisis Response Arrangements, and pursuing the principles of the Solidarity Clause.

As European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training, CEPOL contributes to the EU effort in this respect, and during the week from 9 to 12 of October 2017, it promoted the Course “44/2017 Management of Emergency Situations” in Rome, Italy, that took place at the macro-area of Engineering of the University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy.

The course replies to the need of strengthening and smoothening cooperation of all the actors involved in emergency management.

The course aimed at providing the students with a sound background on the EU initiatives in case of emergency situations, and allowing them to investigate possible operative solutions and strategic planning in case of emergencies. The course also addressed the possibilities represented by serious gaming as tool for emergency management training and education.
Moreover, students had the opportunity to learn from real case studies, reported by Eng. Salvatore Corrao (the Italian National Fire Corps) from operational and tactical experiences on site.

The course has been organised by the University of Rome Tor Vergata in conjunction with the European Emergency Response Centre (ERCC), the Italian Ministry of the Interior and the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers, the Estonian Academy of Security Studies, and Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies.

24 students from 14 EU Member states took part to the course and have been able to expand their network and share their experiences with their colleagues.

The course responsible was Dr. Daniele Di Giovanni supported by Dr. Mariachiara Carestia both members of the International Master courses in Protection Against CBRNe events – University of Rome Tor Vergata.