Dss and gis tool for civil protection planning in case of flooding hazard

The Civil Protection purpose is to better protect people, their environment, property and cultural heritage in case of major natural events or manmade disasters (Foster, 1980, Alexander, 1998, Alexander, 2000). The management of a critical event has precise goals: people safeguard, taking care of the injured, coordination of first aid activities, recovery of primary public services, management of personnel, organization of resources and communication with public and private institutions, government agencies, authorities and citizens (Cate, 1994; Daines, 1991; Drabek et al., 1991). In a broader view, the role of Civil Protection is carried out through three key modes of action: prevention, preparedness and response. These actions encompass: a) the prevention of risks and damage to people, properties, infrastructure and in so doing environment, in the event of disasters, detecting and studying causes of disasters, improving means and methods of forecasting, analysing the characteristics of the damaging event together with the vulnerability of the territory, respectively; b) the increase of the degree of preparedness of people involved in Civil Protection, in order to raise their ability to quickly and effectively respond to an emergency; the cooperation requires a rapid mobilisation of intervention teams, experts and other resources in the event of major emergencies in order to alleviate the effects of a disaster during the first days. The Civil Protection is entrusted to facilitate these actions as well to offer technical or technological support, if required; c) the improvement of the techniques and methods of response and taking care emergencies; d) the enhance of the public information, education and awareness, helping citizens to protect themselves more effectively. Information is the key to successful cooperation in Civil Protection matters. The dissemination of information can be carried out in advance or during the emergency; e) the granting of financial assistance to the affected areas via the Solidarity Fund.