The “Incident Command Systems in South-Eastern Europe – Tools and Procedures for Interaction of Emergency Services” Workshop, organized by RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation in cooperation with the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South-Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE), kicked off on 20 November 2024 in Zagreb, Republic of Croatia. The event will run for two days, offering participants an opportunity for in-depth discussions about the challenges and opportunities in coordinating national Incident Command Systems (ICS) across South-Eastern Europe, with a focus on enhancing regional cooperation in disaster preparedness and response.
This Workshop aims to explore the tools and procedures necessary for the effective interaction of emergency services in the context of large-scale disasters, providing a platform to share best practices and align efforts with Euro-Atlantic standards.
The Opening Session included addresses by H.E. Ambassador Constantin-Mihail Grigorie, Director of RACVIAC and Professor Rade Rajkovčevski, Head of the DPPI SEE Secretariat.
In his speech Professor Rade Rajkovčevski praised the cooperation with RACVIAC stating that, more than ten years after DPPI SEE and RACVIAC signed a Letter of Interest, both organizations agreed to continue with their partnership through several jointly planned events, the first one being this workshop. He underlined that he is confident that this topic is the right one to raise the interest of the region regarding future activities.
In his Opening remarks Ambassador Grigorie welcomed all of the participants and expressed gratitude for their attendance, highlighting the valuable contribution of the DPPI SEE regarding the organization of this event. He emphasized the critical importance of effective disaster response mechanisms in South-Eastern Europe, noting that strong coordination among national emergency services is essential for addressing the increasingly complex nature of emergencies in the region.
Ambassador Grigorie noted that the Workshop’s objective is to foster collaboration among South-Eastern European countries by examining the interaction between their Incident Command Systems (ICS) and Decision Support Systems (DSS). “This is a unique opportunity for us to not only share knowledge and best practices but also to align our efforts with broader regional and global frameworks,” he said, stressing the importance of ensuring that national and regional emergency management systems are adaptable, effective, and interoperable.
Over the course of two days the participants will engage in interactive discussions, case studies, and simulations designed to enhance their understanding of current ICS practices and provide concrete solutions for improving cross-border coordination during emergencies.
Ambassador Grigorie expressed his confidence that the Workshop would contribute to tangible outcomes that would strengthen disaster preparedness and response across the region.
