Ο ρόλος των Δήμων στην πολιτική προστασία στην Ελλάδα: Κατευθύνσεις, θεσμικό πλαίσιο, εμπειρίες

Abstract

This paper studies the role of Municipalities in Civil Protection in relation to international guidelines. The aim is to analyze key concepts in the field of Disaster Management and to draw conclusions about the maturity of the historical development of the institutional framework and the results of its implementation. For this purpose, several approaches of the main key concepts are analyzed. In addition is presented the evolution through time of the Greek institutional framework regarding Civil Protection system of Municipalities. Furthermore, three case studies are examined. The first case study is referred to the Municipality of Kalamata, as a positive example of management of the Recovery Phase after the earthquakes of 1986. The second case study is referred to the Municipality of Marathon as a positive example of new planning of the Preparedness Phase after the catastrophic Fire of 23/07/2018 and also as a successful Response to a recent fire on 10/8/2019. The third case study is referred to the successful Response to a recent Fire on 16/07/2020 in the Municipality of Lavreotiki. According to all the above analyzed topics, it is concluded that the institutional framework tends through time to strengthen the role Municipalities in the Civil Protection system. However this tendency does not reach all phases of the disaster management cycle, nor does it adequately respond to international guidelines. Furthermore, it is concluded that Municipalities have the ability to self-organize and take on an essential role in most Phases of disaster management circle, especially in Recovery Phase, Preparedness Phase and Response Phase, often in excess of the responsibilities assigned to them , which are usually are vague and overlapping with other levels of government and decision-making bodies.