From November 4 to 6, the municipalities of Spotorno and Bergeggi (Savona, Italy) are hosting an exercise for the UAS network of the Department of Civil Protection’s Competence Centers, coordinated by CIMA Research Foundation. These three days include theoretical and field activities to enhance response and coordination in multi-risk emergency scenarios
Among the many roles drones have assumed in recent years, including environmental studies, they now play a crucial role in civil protection operations. Drones can access areas restricted after a disaster, collect data from affected zones, indicate accessible routes, and more. They are thus invaluable tools in refining intervention methods and rapid response in emergency contexts.
With this goal, EXE Spotorno 2024 was organized as a three-day exercise for the drone network of the Italian Department of Civil Protection’s Competence Centers. Coordinated by CIMA Research Foundation with support from Eucentre Foundation, the Liguria Region’s Civil Protection Sector, the Liguria Regional Directorate of the National Fire Brigade, and the municipalities of Spotorno and Bergeggi, the exercise combines field activities with theoretical discussions and experience sharing.
A field exercise for more effective response
The focus of these three days is data acquisition, processing, and analysis from drones in complex emergency scenarios, such as multi-risk contexts where multiple events occur simultaneously or in succession (e.g., a landslide triggered by flooding). How should drones operate in these settings? More importantly, how can operations be coordinated and harmonized for maximum effectiveness?
The exercise addresses these questions, refining and optimizing operations to protect communities. Moreover, Bergeggi includes a Marine Protected Area and therefore drone deployment gains ecological value, enabling monitoring of marine and coastal environments of high environmental value—along with assessing critical infrastructure and regional conditions after extreme weather events.
Collaboration and innovation for more effective civil protection
The Department of Civil Protection’s UAS network (the technical term for drones: Unmanned Aircraft System) involves national and local institutions, research bodies, and academic partners, underscoring the importance of an integrated approach to risk management. This collaboration enables the development of innovative strategies that combine field experience with advanced technologies, optimizing the effectiveness of civil protection operations.
EXE Spotorno 2024 concludes on November 6 with a synthesis and critical analysis session, during which results and lessons learned will be discussed. Experts will reflect on the challenges and potentials that emerged during the field exercises, outlining guidelines for future interventions and improvements in risk management.
The event is not only a training opportunity but also a vital step toward a civil protection system increasingly capable of responding to emergencies with speed, precision, and respect for the natural and human heritage of our country.