The “Incident Command Systems in South-Eastern Europe – Tools and Procedures for Interaction of Emergency Services” Workshop was successfully concluded today at RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation. Held from 20th to 21st November 2024, this event brought together experts, delegates, and practitioners from across South-Eastern Europe to discuss and enhance collaborative frameworks for civil protection and emergency response.
Supported by the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South-Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE), the Workshop featured presentations by distinguished speakers, in-depth panel discussions, and interactive sessions. Participants explored key topics such as incident command systems, decision support tools, and practical strategies for improving coordination among national civil protection authorities and emergency services. The event emphasized the need for streamlined command systems to ensure efficient cooperation during emergencies and disasters.
Professor Rade Rajkovčevski, in his Closing address, praised the activity and the overall cooperation with RACVIAC, which is expected to continue. He thanked all the participants and speakers for their engagement and wished them a safe trip back to their homes.
On behalf of RACVIAC Director, H.E. Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, Deputy Director RADM Predrag Stipanović expressed heartfelt appreciation to all the speakers, moderators, and participants for their contributions, highlighting the value of their expertise in identifying the tools and procedures necessary for effective civil protection in the region. He commended the shared commitment to improving the capabilities of emergency services across South-Eastern Europe, particularly the insights and solutions discussed regarding incident command systems and inter-agency cooperation.
Reflecting on the goals of the workshop, RADM Stipanović emphasized the importance of extending these discussions beyond the event. “The connections and knowledge gained here must be actively integrated into our national and regional strategies. It is our shared responsibility to turn these discussions into actionable policies that will strengthen our region’s ability to respond to crises effectively”, he stated.
The Workshop concluded with the distribution of certificates to the representatives from national civil protection authorities, emergency services, governmental agencies, and relevant stakeholders from RACVIAC and DPPI SEE countries, recognizing their active engagement and dedication to advancing security cooperation and emergency preparedness.
