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Integration of Seismic Monitoring and Involvement of Civil Protection Volunteers for an Effective Post-Earthquake Response

Description: 

After a significant seismic event, timely identification of severely affected areas is crucial to coordinate support actions for the population. INGV, in collaboration with OGS, theNational Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics, has established a close partnership with Emilia Romagna's Regional Civil Protection Agency to develop an innovative real-time monitoring strategy. Since 2019, a network of civil protection volunteers has been implemented to monitor earthquake effects. Volunteers, previously trained through a cooperative learning process, respond to a targeted questionnaire, providing data on the perception of the event's impact on specific locations. This active learning approach directly involves volunteers in the process, facilitated by seismologists, promoting practical and lasting learning.

Thanks to the participation of volunteers already involved in risk communication projects, the project effectively connects with local communities. The project has a dual purpose: on the one hand, data collected by volunteers are transformed into macroseismic intensity and integrated into ShakeMap in real-time, improving its spatial coverage. On the other hand, the project acts as a social bond, strengthening the connection between the population and local authorities and monitoring entities. The success of this initiative has led to the expansion of the project to other Italian regions, with the future goal of covering the entire national territory. The synergy between seismic monitoring and active community involvement proves to be a promising model for a rapid and inclusive response in post-seismic situations.

Session: Creating Actionable Earthquake Information Products [Poster Session]

Type: Poster

Date: 5/1/2024

Presentation Time: 08:00 AM (local time)

Presenting Author: Licia

Student Presenter: No

Invited Presentation: 

Authors