Peer Review Programme: Italy submits its wildfire risk management system to peer review
May 20-24, 2024, European civil protection experts meet at the Department to collaborate on strengthening our risk management cycle
From May 20 to 24, 2024, the Civil Protection Department will host a team of European civil protection experts as part of the Peer Review Programme of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). The visit aims to explore strengths and prospects for enhancing the Italian wildfire risk management.
Directorate-General for Civil Protection and European Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) supports Member States in reviewing risk management systems through the UCPM Peer Review Programme.
A peer review offers an opportunity to assess our preparedness to respond to disasters and how to improve and strengthen the entire risk management cycle: forecast, prevention, response, and recovery.
In addition, the review encourages the exchange of knowledge and best practices between countries. It provides an opportunity to raise awareness among local stakeholders involved in different stages of risk management.
Therefore, Italy has voluntarily decided to have its capabilities reviewed regarding forest fire risk management. Due to its characteristics, this risk poses new challenges in terms of dynamics and effects and requires constant strategy adaptation.
During the five-day event, independent experts (peers) selected by the European Commission and coming from France, Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic will discuss with the Department how to improve policies and strategies to increase resilience in wildfire risk management.
The peer review in Italy will focus on risk governance at various territorial levels, with particular attention to the coordination and collaboration between the national and regional levels. To achieve this objective, the Department has engaged key national (Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry, Ministry of Culture, National Fire and Rescue Service, Carabinieri) and regional stakeholders, particularly the case studies of the regions of Sardinia and Calabria. The review will conclude with the preparation of a final report, which will then be delivered to the Italian government.