Civil Protection Department

Calabria 2011 simulation exercise: first day in the schools

Today, 25 November, the national simulation exercise called "Calabria 2011" kicks off. The exercise - with the aim of testing the planning activitis developed over the year by the Department in agreement with Calabria Region . opens the works of a day entirely dedicated to schools.

Schools, simbolic places of a community, are a privileged premises to diffuse prevention good practices of natural risks that affect our territory.

During the national day dedicated to safety in schools, "Calabria 2011" has invited students of any age and school to participate to an evacuation test. The exercise foresees for some of them to complete the test in the reception areas according to the municipal plan.

Head teachers and teachers were prepared for this event through a cycle of training meetings carried out in the five provinces of the region between 15 and 18 November.

In order to support today's activities, the Department has distributed among teachers educational material on seismic risk and among students the leaflet "Civil Protection in the family", with rules of autoprotection to adopt in case of emergency.

The Head of Department Franco Gabrielli has decided to spend the first day of "Calabria 2011" together with the students. First stopovers, the Municipality of Martirano Lombardo and Vibo Valentia: here the Head of Departement has met students involved in the evacuation test and reminded the importance of simulation exercises in order to test the response capacity on the territory during an emergency.

The Head of Department said that this exercise starts from the school world to underline the importance of prevention: a necessity perceived on the entire Italian territory, since, besides resources, there is a lack of awareness to root a civil protection culture. The school world in Calabria - as highlighted by Franco Gabrielli - has responded to the exercise showing committment and a proper sensitivity regarding prevention. 

The Head of Department has then explained that auto-protection means above all being aware of risks that affect the territory and know how to behave and which rules to follow in case of an emergency. For this reason, young people must be prepared, informed and active in order to diffuse a prevention culture.

In the premises of the Municipality of Lamezia Terme the Head of Department intervened to the presentation of the national report of "Impararesicuri": a project for the schools launched by the Department and Cittadinanzattiva, with the purpose of monitoring the seismic risk perception in Italy and improve the diffusion of good practices.