Today, in the Sulis room of the Cagliari Fair, an important milestone is being celebrated: 35 years of Civil Protection in Sardinia. An event that is not limited to celebration, but looks to the future with ambitious projects, strategic funding and a reflection on the delicate balance between prevention and emergency management. Fabio Ciciliano, Head of the Civil Protection Department, underlined the urgency of addressing the hydrogeological risk, which involves 94% of the national territory: «Sardinia, like many other regions, is wounded. It is essential to invest in prevention, an action that produces benefits in the medium and long term, both in economic terms and in the reduction of emergencies». This approach, Ciciliano reiterated, can improve territorial management and reduce the costs of disasters.
Mauro Merella, Director General of the Sardinian Civil Protection, instead illustrated how the 60 million euros allocated for the Island will be used: 10 million to strengthen the municipal operational centers, 10 for beach rescue, 20 for vehicles and equipment, 7 for monitoring systems, such as rain gauges and sensors against floods and fires. A further investment will be allocated to the strengthening of technological infrastructures, to address emergencies in an integrated manner.
At the heart of the new projects is the Regional School of Civil Protection, designed to spread a culture of prevention right from schools. "Training does not only concern volunteers, but the entire population and local authorities, fundamental pillars of land management," added Merella, highlighting how Sardinia is a true national laboratory for advanced planning and innovation.
