RESOLUTION of the Council and the representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council of 13 February 1989 on the new developments in Community cooperation on civil protection (89/C 44/03)

THE COUNCIL AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL,

Recalling their resolution of 25 June 1987 on the introduction of Community cooperation on civil protection, Having taken note of the Commission communication on the new developments in Community cooperation on civil protection,

Having regard to the initial results obtained from implementation of the said resolution and the application of the initial measures decided, within that framework, Convinced that to continue this action and to launch new initiatives, at Community level, for a whole series of sectors linked with protection of people and property, and with assistance and solidarity in the event of serious crises, or natural or man-made disasters, would do more to advance a people's Europe,

Convinced that the action taken in response to the abovementioned resolution of 25 June 1987 has provided the starting point for more rational and coordinated handling of crisis situations arising from disasters which can be on a scale beyond the intervention capacity of the Member State concerned.

Convinced that new initiatives and appropriate measures in this field would also promote the coordination and integration of present knowledge and of existing scientific and technical means and facilities, with more effective mobilization of human resources, Emphasizing that the new measures envisaged do not interfere with Member States' preparation or management of emergency plans for dealing with disasters, Whereas a certain number of risks, including nuclear risks, will continue to be covered by their own special procedures;

Whereas it is desirable, by way of more effective protection, to introduce a single additional emergency telephone number as called for in the guidelines set out by the Council on 30 June 1988;

Whereas the possibilities offered by recent developments in telecommunications should be exploited for civil protection purposes;

Convinced of the need to conduct extensive civil-protection information campaigns;

1. TAKE NOTE of the work done by the Commission, in liaison with the Member States, on drawing up an inventory of data banks concerning civil protection and systems used;

2. AGREE to encourage a better exchange of the information contained in the data banks existing in the Member States;

3. TAKE NOTE of the Commission's intention of assessing in cooperation with national experts, within the next 12 months at most, Member States' needs with particular reference to the feasibility of a system for interconnecting data banks as described in its communication.

If appropriate, subject to further referral to the Council, a pilot scheme concerning the organization of a common response to needs might be launched;

4. CALL UPON the Commission to take steps to compile before 1990 a multilingual glossary on civil protection terminology, the need for which is recognized not only from the technical angle (data banks) but also in order to improve technical communication between rescue teams called upon to help in emergencies beyond their frontiers;

5. STRESS the desirability of a standard Community-wide single additional emergency telephone number which will in particular enable the public in an emergency to call the relevant national emergency services, and which should be introduced gradually in the Member States;

6. AGREE that it is necessary to improve the transmission of the information needed to prevent and cope with disasters by promoting the use of advanced information and telecommunications systems and, in particular, aerospace resources.

For this purpose, they support the Commission proposal to compile before the end of 1989, together with national experts, an inventory of requirements and an analysis of ways of satisfying them and to draw, from the simulation exercises planned for 1989, practical lessons as regards the most promising communication systems, also taking into account the use of satellites;

7. SUPPORT the Commission's intention of launching a study on the feasibility and cost of an initial 12-month Community campaign (May 1990 to April 1991), to strengthen and extend public information and education in civil protection.

The results of this study, including the financing of any campaign, and any proposal for action that the Commission deems it appropriate to submit, will be communicated to the Council before 1 May 1989;

8. REQUEST the Commission to draw up within six months, a summary of all the protection measures it has taken to combat risks of fire and disaster and to ensure civil protection.