The Finnish concept of comprehensive security means that society’s vital functions are secured through collaboration between the authorities, the business community, organisations and citizens.
In the spirit of the Finnish crisis management approach, representatives from Italy, Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Finland unwrap a series of topical discussions concerning the role of various actors in ensuring greater resilience of the societies during the technical advisory board meeting on 28 March 2022 in Helsinki.
Ms Ilona Hatakka highlighted the vital functions of the individuals, society and global environment as follows: leadership, psychological resilience, functional capacity of the population and services, economic infrastructure and security of supply, internal security defense capacity and international activities.
In addition, Mr Jari Honkanen (EU and International Affairs Unit, Department for Rescue Services of the MoI, Finland) outlined that ensuring the protection of the civilians is a combination of rescue tasks in prevention and quality reaction, including various rescue services and inhabitants‘ preparedness activities.
Another good example of securing the continuity of the society’s critical economic functions and technical systems was presented by Ms Hanna Havumäki from the National Supply Agency of Finland. Participants of the working meetings discussed opportunities for conducting public-private partnerships for mitigating the consequences of societal disruptions by securing stockpiles.
However, professional skills, fairness and reliability are core values for any response emergency centre, concluded the participants who followed the concise presentation of the senior expert Juha-Veli Frantti. Furthermore, modernisation of services and technological upgrades and legal amendments and educational advances are critical for maintaining quality early warning and emergency responses, concluded participants of the workshops.
The influx of refugees and common migration policies were specific topics of the dialogue meetings of the Migration Offices from Slovakia and Finland and the Finnish Immigration Authorities.
Some people believe that disasters are acts of God and, as such, considered unavoidable. Therefore focusing on the emergency response and relief was essential for politicians. Yet more and more people recognise disasters as failures of unsustainable development. However, the CRISPRO „believers“ put on first place knowledge redressed in applicable measures and operational activities. Also, we create the social, economic and political conditions leading to disasters.
Individuals, communities and governments increase the disaster risk by:
degradation of the environment due to fast-growing, mass construction and urbanisation,
overpopulation urban centres,
pushing poor people to hazard-prone areas,
unequal access and lack of control over resources,
allowing constructions on unsafe and substandard houses and building,
building in a high-risk areas.
The CRISPRO followers understand the risks have led to greater management approaches:
identifying potential hazards,
determining the probability of occurrence,
estimating the impact on communities (people affected/vulnerable groups affected and counting on the needs of the affected groups),
promoting practices for reducing the vulnerability,
planning measures and taking actions to reduce the risk,
creating awareness of how to implement the measures,
increasing preparedness and abilities to increase the professional reaction of first responders and rescuers,
investing in technologies of anticipating, mitigating and saving lives,
providing opportunities for sharing of experience.
What disaster risk reduction has to take place on the local level
The degree of economic losses and damage to buildings and infrastructure determine various levels of exposure and vulnerability of the population, infrastructure, facilities on the local level.
Risk assessment answers the fundamental question.
What would happen if a hazard event occurred in my area
Analyse and evaluate potential hazards, or analyse your environment and learn what type of potential hazards are in your community,
How these hazards threaten /endanger any community/local disruption/casualties/damage losses
Results of risk assessment: enable action and form the foundation for planning and implementing DRR measures
Review the technical features of hazards – location, intensity, frequency and probability
Dimensions have a very political-driven foundation cause they refer to physical, social, economic and environmental vulnerability fo the territory governed by the decision-makers
Taking into particular account the coping capacities and capabilities pertinent to the defined risk scenario
It shall be an integral and regular element of the planning process, local stakeholders.
Identify all local stakeholders that put hands intent of a disaster, hazard-prone events, extraordinary incidents or accidents.
The Vilnius Security Forum 2021 centres on the western readiness to respond to hybrid threats. The forum gathers specialists on 26th March in Vilnius and going online through webinar formats.