Strengthening the capacity of the Romanian and Serbian authorities to react in case of flooding and earthquakes

The targeted project area is vulnerable to different types of natural disasters, particularly floods, landslides, earthquakes, forest fires, technical and technological accidents, that can cause human losses and damages, affecting economic stability and growth. The project proposal aims at strengthening cooperation of emergency management services of Serbia and Romania, with emphasis on their regional branches in the eligible area across the border, improving preparedness of the Serbian and Romanian regional protection and rescue units for response in case of joint intervention. The project will contribute to better preparedness of the whole cross border region for emergencies and disasters. Overall objective of project is to contribute to reducing the risks of disasters caused by floods and earthquakes in cross-border area of Serbia and Romania. Main outputs of project are: Procured equipment for protection and intervention in case of floods and earthquakes by the end of the project implementation. Trainings and joint field exercise for local protection and rescue units and other operational units are conducted by the end of project implementationDuring the implementation of this project, the capacity of the protection and rescue units will be improved through comprehensive education process, joint field exercise and procurement of necessary technical equipment, which will be owned by the Sector for Emergency Management in Serbia and „Drobeta” Inspectorate for Emergency Situation in Romania, and used by local operational units. Joint project team meetings and joint steering committee meetings held. Workshop and seminars for local authorities regarding joint intervention in case of floods and earthquake conducted by the end of project implementation. Specific working rules for joint intervention teams in case of floods and earthquake are elaborated, printed in three languages (Romanian, Serbian and English) and distributed. Regional cooperation in both prevention and mitigation of harmful consequences of all natural disasters is very important. Cooperation between the main operational units from target municipalities from both sides of the border will be secured through their active participation in numerous activities and events including joint meetings, seminars and workshop. Public awareness campaign through organization of workshops for young pupils from schools in the project area will be implemented. Press conferences on both sides of the border will be organized during project implementation. Promotional materials and educational brochures will be printed and distributed in the project areaPrevious experience and practice of other countries have shown that raising awareness of the general population about the risks natural disasters, and providing them with the relevant information and advice on what to do in case of floods and earthquakes, is among major elements in reducing the harmful effects on people, animals, economic and cultural assets and the environment. Disasters do not consider countries’ borders and can, therefore, threaten entire areas in neighboring countries, stating disaster risk management by definition a cross-border issue. Therefore, cross border cooperation in terms of good preparedness and capabilities of all relevant stakeholders in cases of emergency situations, as well as technical and procedural harmonization between the intervention teams, has a crucial importance to the timely and successful disaster response in border areas.

Procured equipment for Lead beneficiary: 18 Field vehicles, 8 Field transport van, 2 Emergency rescue kits purchased including: evacuation triangle sit harness, Aluminium carabineers, Symmetrical aluminium carabineers lock, Figure eight descended, Pulley, Transport pulley, Double pulley, Full body harnesses, Hand ascender, Chest ascender, Rigging plate, Static rope, Sling, Bag for equipment, Spine board with spider straps and head immobilizer. Rafting boats for water rescue purchased, including: 6 Rafts (big), 6 Rafts (small), 84 Paddles with “T” ending, 6 Accessories for the boat, mending kit, foot pump, 6 Axle trailer boat for transportation, Motor boats for water rescue purchased, including: 6 Small rubber boats, 6 Aluminium boats with outboard motor and trailer boat for transportation. Equipment for water rescue purchased, including: 120 Floating bags with a rope of 30m, 6 Set of hand tools, 10 Floating ropes, 6 Alpine ropes, 6 Megaphones. Individual safety equipment for the intervention in case of flood, including: 120 Rafting Helmets, 120 Two-piece thermal suits, 120 Shoes with soles drainage,120 Thermal protection gloves, 120 Waterproof flashlights, 120 Overalls, 120 Rescue vests, 120 Fishing rubber suits, 120 Raincoats, 120 Sleeping bags, Procured equipment for Partner 2: 1 Truck for interventions in collective accidents and calamities, 1 Logistic support truck (for organizing a camp for the victims and a base of operations), 1 Truck for transport of intervention materials to the place of intervention 2 Minibus for 16 persons, Individual protection equipment for the intervention in case of flood, including: 48 Two-piece thermal suits, 48 Waterproof boots, 48 Thermal protection gloves, 48 Waterproof flashlights, 48 Overalls, 48 Rescue vests, 48 Fishing rubber suits, 48 Raincoats, 48 Whistles 48 Penknife, 48 Watertight transport bags, 16 Line Throwing Floating Rope Package, 48 Neoprene socks Other equipment for water rescue: Ecologic Toilet, 2 Hand wash station, 3 Self-supporting open water basin 3000 l, 1 Self-supporting open water basin 5000 l, 4 Transportable motor pumps with accessories, 20 Firefighter hose rolls with fittings, type C, 20 Firefighter hose rolls with fittings, type B, 10 Discharge pipes with a tap, type C for firefighter, 1 workshop for local authorities conducted in Romania. 1 Document “Specific working rules for joint intervention teams in case of floods and earthquake” was elaborated, printed in three languages (Romanian, Serbian and English) and distributed. 1 training for protection and rescue teams was prepared and implemented in Serbia. 1 joint field exercise held in Serbia. 20 public awareness workshops for school children were organized in Serbia and Romania.

R1. Improved operational capacity of institutions from project area responsible for emergency management, through equipping and training of local operational units in target municipalities by the end of project implementation; This project result will contribute to programme result indicator “Capacity for emergency interventions and management in case of natural disasters and environmental accidents”. R2. Improved cooperation between Serbian and Romanian institutions, operational units and local authorities for emergency management in target municipalities; This project result will contribute to programme result indicator “Potential for cross border interoperability for environmental protection and emergency interventions, based on shared procedures and technologies”. R3. Young pupils from schools in the cross-border area are familiarized with necessary actions and rules to be followed in case of floods and earthquakes. This project result will contribute to programme result indicator “Awareness on the potential of environmental resources and the benefits of protection. Resident population informed on quality and quantity of environmental resources in the eligible area, and on the benefits of protection actions”.