UCPM-EWS meeting, 11 December, Ispra, Italy

The Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM)'s Early Warning Systems (EWS) expert working group held a meeting on 11 December in Ispra, Italy. An efficient emergency decision-making process cannot exist without an efficient and people-centred EWS. A EWS is within national responsibility; however, a relevant European dimension already exists and will be further expanded according to Participating States' recommendations.

The objective of the annual EWS expert group meeting is to discuss the latest development of the European and Global detection and alert systems and possible improvements. It is to identify potential steps forward and to share information, best practices and lessons learnt on measure taken at national level, including the one on the "last mile" of a EWS (i.e. education, raising awareness).

The early warning systems used within the UCPM (EFAS, EFFIS, EDO and GDACS) were presented, alongside with recent developments in the ARISTOTLE, NEAMWAVE17 and FOKUS projects. A multi-hazard approach, increasing synergies among the existing systems and a consolidation of the European Natural Hazard Partnership were emphasized as the critical points for the future.