Brief description | Consolidation and institutionalization of cross-border collaboration and communication mechanisms between the emergency “112” services (ambulance, fire brigade, rescue service and police). |
---|---|
Region | Internal EU borders |
Countries | Spain (ES) and Portugal (PT) |
Location | 40 border municipalities in the region (Autonomous Community) of Galicia (ES)
47 border municipalities in the region (Autonomous Community) of Castilla y León (ES) 22 border municipalities in the region of North Portugal (PT) |
Type of project partners | Regional government units |
Size (total budget including EU grants) | € 200,000 to € 500,000 |
Main themes | Environmental protection, climate change and risk prevention |
Keywords (Types of Activities) | Education and training Acquisition of equipment Other |
Keywords (Aspects of Good Practice) | Genuine cross-border dimension Genuine cross-border impact Innovative Good sustainability |
Background and Objectives | The “Working Community Galicia-Norte de Portugal” covers the euro-region of Galicia and the North of Portugal. It has been the generator of many cross-border initiatives and projects since 1991 and has taken the form of an EGTC (European Grouping of Territorial Cooperation) since 2008. One of the fields covered is the emergency services. The three main partners (the regions of Galicia and Castilla y León, ES, and Norte de Portugal, PT) jointly developed the ARIEM-112 Project to deal with several difficulties identified, including:
The main objective of the ARIEM-112 Project was the establishment of a mechanism for collaboration between emergency services for a coordinated mobilisation of resources from the border areas of Galicia, Castilla y León and the North of Portugal. |
---|---|
Main activities | Development of Mutual Aid Agreements and Joint Action Protocols to provide a legal framework which can facilitate the mobilisation and involvement of the resources of a country on both sides of the border with the appropriate legal protection and coordination of joint actions.
Design of an application to systematise the coordination of resource mobilisation in the ARIEM area, providing the PSAPs a stable network of information exchange and communication in real time. Development of joint training activities to enable staff specialisation in the new reality of mobilising shared resources and cross-border risk management. This training should enable the pooling of efforts, experience and knowledge, while establishing a networking to support formal and informal communication and strengthen cohesion and collaboration. |
Main results | The ARIEM-112 Project has managed to raise the pillars of a common space for emergency management and the establishment of a mechanism for collaboration between the management and mobilization of emergency resources in the border area, and has contributed to the promotion of a culture of solidarity and cross-border cooperation.
The main results consist of the establishment of a collaboration mechanism between different Services in charge of Emergency and Civil Protection over the three border regions through the mobilization of the available equipment on site, joint action procedures and communication (a specific computer application and head phone numbers) and just-in-time information about the need for help between the three managing entities. With this project the cross-border population can have assistance in much shorter delay. The challenge now is to consolidate the project in the coming years, continuing the legal and educational framework developed at this point. Proposed steps for the consolidation of ARIEM 112:
|
Aspects of good practice | The project built on long-standing and ongoing cooperation between the relevant authorities / stakeholders in the three regions concerned.
Its development, financing and implementation was conducted in a fully integrated manner. Tangible benefits to peoples’ lives on both sides of the border. It will be of lasting value to the border zones involved and its benefits will continue to be felt long after its completion. |
Start and completion dates: | 01/05/2011 – 31/12/2013 |
More information | http://www.axega112.org/web/portal-web/portada |
Partner | Xunta de Galicia – (Axencia Galega de Emerxencias) |
---|---|
Partner | Junta de Castilla y León – (Agencia de Protección Civil) |
Partner | CCDRN – Comissão de Coordenação e Desenvolvimento Regional do Norte |