AER-Eurisy Workshop

In recent years, natural or man-made risks for population, property and environment have become increasingly complex given factors such as demographics, urbanisation, industrial activity, climate change and the more recent menace of terrorist attacks on a global scale.

Local and Regional Authorities, thanks to their proximity to citizens and their knowledge of local terrain, are often in a best position to provide emergency planning and response. As underlined by the Committee of Regions (CoR), "local and regional governments constitute an important structural and organisational model framework for modern and effective civil protection in Europe". Moreover, resource pooling, interregional coordination and mutual assistance within the EU and beyond for more efficient management of emergencies is required.

Indeed, regions can help to correctly identify and assess vulnerabilities, to efficiently mobilise resources and coordinate operations in case of emergencies. Quite often, the considerable impact of such disasters implies a need for substantial efforts in rebuilding essential infrastructure within the affected communities. Such solutions can also be used in the emergency aftercare and recovery process. Among them, satellite based information and services provide particularly efficient tools for regions.

The aim of this workshop is to provide a forum for regions to exchange know-how, best-practices, and lessons learned in integrating and using satellite information and services in their management systems for the mitigation, preparation and response to emergencies (floods, fires, earthquakes, landslides, oil spills, public health issues, industrial accidents, etc.). This will not only be an opportunity to disseminate information on strategies that work, but also one for local and regional authorities to identify how their respective capacities for emergency planning and response are complementary, to increase co-operation, and lay grounds for future interregional projects.

All presentations are available on the website of EURISY.