TITLE: "Development of the EU Civil Protection Knowledge Network among EU members, European Neighbourhood Policy countries and international organisations, through knowledge accumulation, partnership building and networking."

PROJECT DURATION: 18 months

• International Centre for Chemical Safety and Security of the Republic of Poland (ICCSS)
• Fire Service Dortmund, Germany
• Council of the Baltic Sea States Fire and Rescue Services Association (CBSS)
• University of Civil Protection of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus (UCPBY)
• National University of Civil Protection of Ukraine (NUCD)
• Lviv State University of Life Safety, Ukraine (LSULS)
• General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Moldova (GIES)

• Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) – possess capabilities and experience in CBRN and natural disaster response, as well as in organizing and conducting exercises
• State Fire Service College, Krakow, Republic of Poland (SAPSP)
• State Fire and Rescue Service of the Republic of Latvia

The project envisages a broad geographical scope and audience. A wide geographical coverage is ensured by involving partners from the EU, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, as well as relevant international organizations. Since the project is based on common training and exercise models in prevention, preparedness and response in the CBRN domain, interaction between countries, the European Union and international organizations will be ensured. The involvement of international organizations, including the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) as partners, and CSMB as a member, ensures that countries worldwide will have access to the project results and benefit from them. Since CBRN emergencies, natural disasters and climate change do not recognize borders, the project receives support, involves and appeals to local, national, regional and global stakeholders, including the UN, OPCW and other international agencies.

The project will contribute to the implementation of the UN Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction by providing a better understanding of disaster risks in the regions of Eastern Europe and the Middle East. This will contribute to an evidence-based approach to emergency management at EU level and to other relevant policies.

The NET-CBRN-REACT project, funded by the European Union, to be implemented in 2021–2022, aims at better and more prompt management of disaster risks in Eastern Europe and the Middle East by strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of collective civil protection and disaster management efforts. As we witness the continuous evolution of the nature of risks and hazards and the different levels of impacts they have on different segments of the population, infrastructure and the environment, the project covers relevant horizontal aspects including environmental sustainability, climate change and infrastructure resilience.

The project provides comprehensive and extended disaster risk management to address emergencies occurring inside and/or outside the EU, through stronger prevention, preparedness and response activities, using the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. By combining the experience and best practices of EU and non-EU partners, as well as developing cooperation networks. The project envisages strengthened cooperation and improved coordination among a wide range of stakeholders from all countries within the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The horizontal approach of the project broadens traditional civil protection to public security, environmental protection and public and private infrastructure, marine pollution, health emergencies, as well as cultural heritage against disaster risks and natural and technological hazards. This extended and comprehensive disaster risk management becomes an ongoing task to be performed daily, not only in case of emergency, and will remain a priority on the local, national and international agenda. Partners will analyse and research current training and exercise activities and procedures already in place to enhance the use of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism in the CBRN context. They will compile knowledge, expertise and methodologies in civil protection based on specific disaster risk scenarios common in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

The main objective of the NET-CBRN-REACT project is to strengthen and promote the creation of European and international knowledge, partnership and networking against the consequences of terrorist acts, technological, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents, marine pollution and health emergencies occurring inside and/or outside the EU, on land or at sea.

There are 2 proposed activities within the project: a Seminar on rescue methods at Lviv State University of Life Safety (Ukraine), aimed at developing methodology and training and exercise modalities for rescuers in the CBRN context. The second activity is a good practice exchange workshop for rescuers at the International Training Centre in Borisov, near Minsk, Republic of Belarus, for practical testing and exercising of rescue methods and modalities in the CBRN context.

• Analysis and research of current training and exercise activities and procedures based on common risks in Eastern Europe and the Middle East;
• Compilation of knowledge, expertise and civil protection methodologies based on specific disaster risk scenarios common in Eastern Europe and the Middle East;
• Workshop on the development of scenario-based approaches in training and exercise programmes within the EU Civil Protection Mechanism; November 2021 – Lviv, Ukraine;
• Workshop on testing and applying scenario-based approaches in training and exercises within UCPM, May 2022 – Minsk/Borisov, Republic of Belarus;
• Development of an online expert support network for scenario-based UCPM training and exercise programmes in CBRN preparedness and response outside the EU;

Research and feasibility assessments of common best practices in CBRN emergency preparedness and response conducted within the project will result in new training and competency exercise opportunities, as well as an online expert network to strengthen the knowledge network.

At the same time, the two international workshops in Lviv, Ukraine, and Minsk, Republic of Belarus, will improve cooperation in disaster response between civil protection organisations, disaster management, marine pollution, humanitarian organisations and international organisations.

Sergiu Junea – Head of the Intervention Preparedness Division of the General Intervention Directorate of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Republic of Moldova.
e-mail: juneasergiu@gmail.com, dpi@dse.md
mobile: +373 79906499
tel: +373 22785125

1) Alexandr Tatarov – Head of the General Intervention Directorate of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Republic of Moldova.
e-mail: alexandrtatarov@yahoo.it, sef.dgi@dse.md
mobile: +373 68469148
tel: +373 22785112

2) Sergiu Junea – Head of the Intervention Preparedness Division of the GID of GIES of MIA
e-mail: juneasergiu@gmail.com, dpi@dse.md
mobile: +373 79906499
tel: +373 22785125

3) Octavian Bucsa – officer of the Intervention Evaluation Division of the GID of GIES of MIA
e-mail: bucsabucsa33@gmail.com, dpi@dse.md
mobile: +373 79372656
tel: +373 22785126

4) Petru Darii – senior officer of the GID of GIES of MIA
e-mail: dariiipetru@gmail.com, doi@dse.md
mobile: +373 67184005
tel: +373 22785121