State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia implements projects within the area of civil protection that ensure continued development and strengthening of State Fire and Rescue Service and overall civil protection system.
UCPM Track 1 project:
Development of an early warning systems based on telecommunication technologies.
Main project objectives and tasks:
This project takes an all-hazard approach by focusing on technical capabilities of telecommunication service providers to ensure solutions for alerting and informing citizens.
Among other things, the project aim was to develop draft technical specifications for the most suitable early warning systems (EWS) for Latvia, its cost-benefit and sustainability analyses.
To conduct a feasibility study on an early warning solution most suitable for Latvia, using the services of mobile network operators (hereinafter - MNO), which includes assessment of three public warning technological solutions - Cell Broadcast (CB), Location Based SMS (LB- SMS) and mobile app. Result of this assessment are to be used as a basis for deciding on the most appropriate public warning solution for Latvia, as well as for the development of the ABS + architecture.
Research implementation:
October of 2019 – April of 2021
Research performer:
SIA “Corporate Consulting”
Results:
Prepared analysis of technical solutions, architecture description and implementation plan, as well as prepared draft technical specification.
UCPM Track 1 project:
Development of a national disaster damage and loss database (DLD) in Latvia.
Main project objectives and tasks:
The main objective of this project was to have a study aiming to standardise the collection, recording and aggregation of disaster loss data across several socio-economic sectors. This also included reviewing good practices and research from other countries. The outputs of the study to serve as an integral part for negotiations with the government and all actors involved in disaster management for the allocation of national funding for implementing the disaster loss database.
Research implementation:
October of 2019 – April of 2021
Research performer:
SIA “AA Projekts”
Results:
Prepared analysis of potential technical solutions that may be implemented and their implementation plan.
UCPM Track 1 project:
Development and Management of State Material Reserves and Resources of the Sector’s Material and Technical Means for the Implementation of Disaster Management Measures and Overcoming Sectoral Hazards (ECHO/SUB/2022/TRACK1/884407/LV)
Main project objectives and tasks:
To study the existing system of planning and managing resources of the state's material reserves and material technical means of the sector (identification of needs, evaluation, formation, supply chain planning, deferred delivery, contracts, acquisition, updating, accounting, storage, issuance, logistics, disposal, write-off, inventory, etc.), and develop a strategic, systematic and methodical approach to resource planning and management, based on risk assessment, so that resources are built on defined criteria for disaster management as well as industry hazard needs.
The study includes the evaluation and requirements of the existing regulatory acts, which include the tasks and obligations set in the sector, including the planning and management of resources of other sectors and cross-sectors, the good practices implemented by natural and legal persons, as well as evaluating the experience and good practices of other countries for resource planning for disaster management, as well as for the needs of industry threats.
Research implementation:
June of 2023 – February of 2024
Research performer:
SIA “PricewaterhouseCoopers”
Results:
The study focused on assessing the system and approaches employed in planning, developing, and managing Latvia's State Material Reserves (SMR) and other material resources. The study includes the modelling of scenarios for the development of the MR system, along with the formulation of proposals for solutions applicable across scenarios. This is grounded in research and analysis of the current situation in Latvia, incorporating insights from foreign experiences and best practices gathered during the project. Within the selected scenario, assessments have been conducted to estimate the requisite resources, encompassing human, material, and financial aspects. These evaluations led to the determination that the comprehensive implementation of the centralized scenario demands substantial investments.
UCPM Track 1 project:
Establishment of comprehensive civil protection and disaster management training for governmental institutions, civil protection commissions of municipalities, universities, SFRS Fire Safety and Civil Defence College, as well as establishing safety advice for the public (ECHO/SUB/2022/TRACK1/884396)
Main project objectives and tasks:
- The training content and organizational research, as well as the preparation of training materials adapted for members of the Cabinet of Ministers.
- Study of training content and organization as well as preparation of training material adapted to State institutions (disaster management subjects and subordinate institutions).
- Study of the content and organization of training adapted to the members of the civil protection commission of the cooperation territories of municipalities, as well as the preparation of training material.
- Study of training content and organization adapted to higher education institutions, as well as preparation of training material, including in English.
- Studying the content and organization of training adapted to the Fire Safety and Civil Defence College, as well as preparation of training material.
- For the safety and awareness of the public, developed safety advice on possible hazards and expected actions (including information to promote equal opportunity suitable for persons with disabilities), provided in several languages.
- The existing public safety booklet "Do you know what to do in an emergency?" provision of modern technology solutions, such as augmented reality, research and development (implementation) of its content.
- Development, adaptation or creation of environmental (art) objects in order to disseminate information and popularize public safety issues with modern technology solutions, such as augmented reality.
- Study “Establishment of comprehensive civil protection and disaster management training for governmental institutions, civil protection commissions of municipalities, universities, Fire Safety and Civil Protection College, as well as establishing safety advice for the public”
Research implementation:
August of 2023 – September of 2024
Research performer:
SIA “PricewaterhouseCoopers”
Results:
The study examined the existing situation, foreign practices (including those in Finland, Germany, Portugal, Estonia and Italy) and developed a training approach, material and methodology targeting specific target groups included in the study to ensure a systematic and strategic training process on civil protection and disaster management issues. In addition, safety advice for the public in Latvian and English were examined and developed in accordance with today's changing threat environment, taking into account information accessibility requirements for different groups of society.