A Benchmark of Integrated Technologies for Civil Protection Emergencies

Abstract

Modern technologies and surveying techniques, are providing, nowadays, a valuable and efficient tool, useful to prevent and mitigate calamitous events, natural disasters and dangerous situations often exacerbated by human activities. Natural disasters are constant reminders of how powerful nature can be. The effects of these disasters can be devastating, so, the knowledge of soil modifications, damages in structures and infrastructures can be very useful for emergency procedures related to the civil protection operations. The growing number of disasters requiring external assistance has prompted a interest in collaborative ventures, better co-ordination and a more rational approach to response. Increasingly, the emphasis is on preparedness and a "pro-active" response to replace ad hoc reactive approach of the past. Facilitating the exchange of a broad kind of information during and in preparing for disasters, is critical to the success of the international partnership and has been one of the goals of recent international workshops. The measures needed to manage disasters and emergency to communities and environment is known as emergency management. This paper aims at describing a benchmark based on different technologies, that suitably integrated, can provide an efficient and valuable solution to fulfil the needs of emergency managers such as the civil protection. The solution, employing terrestrial and space based systems will has the main purpose to cover all the different phases of the emergency management life cycle that span from the prevention and preparation to the response and recovery.