One of the main objectives within the scope of civil protection policies over the last few years has been public awareness campaigns.

Already included in the “Municipal plan for Civil Protection” adopted by the municipal council, such campaigns have been undertaken by involving the operators of the civil protection sector and the volunteer associations that operate in the area. Particular attention has been paid to the area of school education through projects that aim to raise the awareness of infant, primary and secondary school pupils and teachers in Bologna and its province.

Education/information has also been a common and shared objective of all of those involved in Civil Protection at a different institutional level (the National Department of Civil Protection, the Prefecture, the Region, Province and Municipalities, the Fire Service, etc.), given that an effective policy for prevention should include a thorough knowledge of our geographical area, its risks and the damage which could be inflicted on the area itself.

Poor information, just like insufficient attention to the instruments of prevention and intervention, may have negative consequences for the safety of citizens and those working in civil protection. Actions have been taken in this direction to promote the development of a civil protection “culture”, particularly among the younger generations, in the knowledge that the education of individuals can contribute to the success of any initiative, especially if one considers that in the extreme case of a serious disaster, our structures would struggle to meet all needs at the same time. Initially, part of the population could therefore play an active role, spontaneously taking the initiative to help others.

Helping each other in the event of an emergency is first and foremost in the interests of the individual and the community :

• individuals can use their initiative and individual sense of responsibility,
• public institutions are responsible for ensuring maximum preparation and supplying the logistical support required. Knowledge incites preventative behaviours, which are highly useful in reducing risks : RISK AWARENESS MEANS RISK PREVENTION. The willingness of the citizens to help others and themselves - whilst important - is insufficient if not supported by specific preparation including at least :
• essential basic notions of potential dangers and the relevant measures of defence,
• what must be done in the event of an emergency,
• how to help others.

All of this has been accomplished by the Municipality and other civil protection organizations, by :

• promoting basic training and instruction courses,
• promoting individual initiatives applied to specific risk situations within the area,
• distributing leaflets,
• producing educational material,
• organizing meetings and conferences,
• carrying out periodic drills, particularly for schools and organized bodies of volunteers.

The training programmes have been designed around the following fundamental issues :

• knowledge of emergency plans,
• knowledge of First Aid techniques,
• knowledge of simple fire prevention measures,
• knowledge of elementary life-saving techniques for people and animals,
• essential information on the effects caused by leaks of toxic gases and radioactive substances,
• knowledge of the most appropriate emergency evacuation techniques, their experimentation especially in schools, healthcare structures, places of work, etc.

From an organizational point of view the initiatives have been entrusted to the Civil Protection Sector with the collaboration of the Fire Service, the Institute of Geophysics and Vulcanology, the emergency health services (118), the Institute of Psychology of the University of Bologna, and organized bodies of volunteers, amongst others. The European project SETRIC, which we have joined with interest and enthusiasm, has offered us – through the discussion and exchange of experiences at a European level – the possibility of further increasing knowledge and skills at a time when it is increasingly necessary to have efficient dialogue between the actors involved in the two main aspects of an emergency : CIVIL PROTECTION and CIVIL DEFENCE.