World Congress CSCM 2023 and Workshop “New Technologies for Critical Infrastructure Protection against Emerging Threats”
CBRNe Science and Consequence Management Cavtat (Croazia) october 23-27 and october 22 2023
Workshop “New Technologies for Critical Infrastructure Protection against Emerging Threats”: Experts Discuss Front-line Solutions for Disasters and Catastrophes Risk Reduction actober 22 2023
In a significant event, experts in protection against emerging and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive threats gathered to explore cutting-edge solutions and innovations.
The Workshop, held in conjunction with the pre-Congress activities for CSCM 2023, served as a platform for specialists and researchers to come together, exchange ideas, and explore advanced results for safeguarding public health, environment and critical infrastructure against evolving risk scenarios.
The event, divided into two sessions and chaired by the European Centre for Disaster Medicine-CEMEC, featured a range of distinguished speakers and key stakeholders from international institutions.
CEMEC kicked off the event with a keynote speech, offering important insights into disaster and new technologies.
The morning session witnessed experts sharing their knowledge and knowhow in various innovative technologies. This session included discussions on topics such as protecting critical infrastructure from new risks, cutting-edge handheld threat assessment tools, and the use of unmanned vehicles in disaster response.
In the afternoon, the Workshop continued to showcase pioneering technologies for environmental and infrastructure protection. The session covered a wide range of topics, including smart unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for radioactivity hunting, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) for technical rescue in emergencies, and methods of protection in case of unconventional incidents.
The session also included a discussion of nuclear decontamination, disinformation, intelligence, biosecurity and health security protection.
The event featured the presence and active participation of senior representatives from prominent organizations. This included delegates from World Health Organization (WHO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), INL Idaho National Lab, USA, National Intelligence University (NIU) USA, and Defence Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Europe. Additionally, Defence Attachés and international Civil Defence senior representatives were present, reinforcing the importance of international cooperation and expertise in safeguarding health of people, animals and the environment against disasters and new threats.
CBRNe Science and Consequence Management World Congress october 2023 23-27
Press release
Breaking Boundaries: The International Congress on Current and Emerging Threats Begins, Uniting Scientists, Professionals, and Experts.
On 23 October, 2023, experts in safety, security, and crisis management came together in Cavtat, Croatia for the much-anticipated CSCM 2023 International Congress. Promising a day of insightful discussions and forward-thinking solutions, the event kicked off with an opening ceremony that featured notable figures from diplomacy, civil and military organizations, and academia.
The morning began with the Congress Chair welcoming a lineup of keynote speakers who would set the tone for the day's discussions. These high-ranking officials shared valuable insights on international safety, security, and cooperation.
The conference then delved deeper into the vital theme of global safety and security, with speeches from organizations such as the European Commission, Council of Europe, United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), World Health Organization (WHO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), EUROPOL - European Counter Terrorism Centre, RACVIAC - Centre for Security Cooperation, and Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean (PAM).
In the afternoon, the conference continued with sessions that explored new perspectives on natural, accidental, and intentional threats. These sessions focused on a comprehensive approach to managing disasters, catastrophes, and attacks, with distinguished speakers offering insights into security governance, risk reduction, conflict resolution, and safeguarding people and essential infrastructure.
With an exciting schedule and a focus on global safety and security challenges, the CSCM 2023 Congress is off to a strong start, dedicating a day to exploring innovative solutions and fostering cooperation in the face of ever-changing threats.
CSCM 2023 Introduces Exclusive Mascot
The CSCM 2023 Congress, a leading event also for technology and innovation that sees the European Centre for Disaster Medicine as one of the organizers, had an unexpected furry guest this year, and it comes with a technological twist. Attendees were surprised by the presence of a special mascot, a dog robot.
Attendees admired this canine-inspired creation for its lifelike movements and interactive features. The robot dog is equipped with advanced sensors and technology, making it capable of supporting emergency response activities. The robot, which performed tricks and interacted with the conference attendees, provided those present with a unique experience of real interaction with technological innovation in the field of disaster response.
Update: Council of Europe's Disaster Risk Reduction Initiative at World Congress CSCM 2023
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The World Congress for crisis and emergency management CSCM 2023 witnessed a significant highlight as Mr. Krzysztof Zyman, the Executive Secretary of the European and Mediterranean Major Hazards Agreement (EUR-OPA), a Partial Agreement of the Council of Europe, participated as the keynote speaker and representative of the Council of Europe Secretary General Ms. Marija Pejčinović Burić. Mr. Zyman showcased the Council of Europe's remarkable initiative for cooperation in the field of major natural and technological disasters and disaster risk reduction, outlining the developments, activities, and achievements achieved under this pioneering effort.
The EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement, established in 1987 with the full name "Co-operation Group for the Prevention of, Protection Against, and Organisation of Relief in Major Natural and Technological Disasters (EUR-OPA)," is a critical institution within the Council of Europe. Its primary mission is to advance research in disaster prediction, risk management, post-crisis analysis, and rehabilitation. Supported by 21 specialized scientific and technical centres, spanning both sides of the Mediterranean, EUR-OPA has played a pivotal role in enhancing disaster preparedness and response.
Among these institutes, the European Centre for Disaster Medicine-CEMEC stands out as a critical player in managing crises, emergencies, catastrophes, and public health concerns. Notably, the European Centre for Disaster Medicine-CEMEC is one of the proud organizers of the CSCM 2023 Congress, further underlining its commitment to advancing knowledge and practices in disaster medicine and emergency management.
Mr. Zyman's address at CSCM 2023 not only shed light on the critical work carried out under EUR-OPA but also highlighted the collaborative efforts between the Council of Europe and its partners in tackling some of the world's most pressing challenges, including the growing threats posed by natural and technological disasters.
The Council of Europe's disaster risk reduction initiative, exemplified by EUR-OPA, underscores the importance of international cooperation in proactively addressing disaster risks. By bringing together experts, stakeholders, and organizations, the initiative fosters an environment where best practices, knowledge, and resources can be shared to build more resilient societies.
The presence of Mr. Krzysztof Zyman and the Council of Europe's EUR-OPA initiative at CSCM 2023 not only added prestige to the event but also inspired the global community to work together towards a safer and more secure future.
As the CSCM 2023 Congress continues, it is evident that the Council of Europe's commitment to disaster risk reduction and the invaluable contributions of organizations like EUR-OPA and the European Centre for Disaster Medicine-CEMEC will continue to play a key role in shaping the world's preparedness and response to major disasters.
Cavtat 2023” Live Exercise at World Congress CSCM 2023
The live exercise, "Cavtat 2023," organized as part of the World Congress CSCM 2023, took place on October 25th and successfully demonstrated the potential of front-line technologies in defending against emerging and new threats, addressing disasters, countering terrorism, and safeguarding critical infrastructure.
The event was attended by more than 200 participants and over 100 operators, including teams from the Civil Protection Directorate, Police Directorate, Ministry of Defence, Firefighting Association - InterVencius, Fire Brigade Dubrovnik, JVP Zagreb and Konavle, Croatian Institute of Emergency Medicine - Institute of Emergency Medicine of Dubrovnik-Neretva County, and Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health.
The exercise started by emphasizing the urgency of adopting modern, multidisciplinary approaches to address technological incidents, catastrophes, CBRNe risks, and terrorism. The exercise showcased the complex process of neutralizing and minimizing threats, detecting and characterizing harmful materials, and implementing measures for the protection of personnel, resources, and facilities. Advanced technologies, such as Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), state-of-the-art detection devices, early warning systems, and situational awareness tools, played a key role in this phase.
The activities carried out during the exercise included situational awareness assessments, medical evaluations and evacuation procedures, CBRNe detection, reconnaissance, monitoring, sample collection, data gathering and processing, fire suppression, and decontamination.
This live exercise demonstrated the seamless integration of advanced technologies and the collaboration of various resources, equipment, and team members to counteract natural, accidental, and intentional threats while protecting public health and critical infrastructure.
In this regard, "Cavtat 2023" underscored the critical importance of preparedness, rapid response, and the role of modern technology in effectively mitigating threats, saving lives, and preserving the environment.
Radiological Response Training Workshop
Over 40 International Attendees Graduate from Radiological Response Training Workshop,
The European Centre for Disaster Medicine is glad to announce that the Radiological Response Training Workshop, held during the 2023 CSCM World Congress, has successfully concluded. Leaded by a team of experts from the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory, this three-day event marked a significant step forward in preparing responders for radiological incidents.
The workshop, which took place this week in Cavtat, Croatia, aimed to provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to respond effectively to radiological contamination incidents while safeguarding the environment, the public, and themselves. The mission of this landmark event was to build a resilient and prepared response community capable of managing radiological risks.
As governments worldwide grapple with proliferation concerns, recent industrial accidents, and international events, it has become increasingly important to have robust radiological incident response training. The 2023 CSCM World Congress Conference brought together experts to guide participants through a unique blend of classroom sessions and field exercises.
"This training event is a significant step towards ensuring that we have highly skilled and well-prepared teams of emergency responders, government officials, and stakeholders who can effectively address radiological contamination incidents," said one of the lead workshop trainers.
The exclusive training evolution featured hands-on exercises, including decontamination techniques, radiation monitoring, and response procedures, all conducted in a safe and controlled environment. By engaging in realistic scenarios, participants were able to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired during the workshop, ensuring they are well-prepared for any radiological incident.
This groundbreaking workshop was part of the broader mission to tackle the considerable threat posed by nuclear and radiological materials and weapons. With a commitment to safety and security, participants were provided with an invaluable opportunity to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of all, as well as the environment.
The Radiological Response Training Workshop at the 2023 CSCM World Congress has set a new standard in the field, marking a defining moment in the ongoing efforts to create a world better equipped to handle radiological threats. As the event concluded, it left attendees inspired, prepared, and ready to make a real difference in the face of radiological incidents.
https://cscm-congress.org/