SIMIT THARSY addresses issues related to the joint management of emergencies caused by potentially tsunamigenic earthquakes

The project contributes to strengthening the data collection network and risk assessment systems for the population and buildings in the event of disasters that could occur in the areas affected by the Ibleo-Maltese fault

Furthermore, the project develops specific guidelines for the municipalities of the two territories in order to guarantee the rapid intervention in case of natural disasters along the cross-border area

Expected Results:
2,500 sq. Km area where the joint Sicilian-Maltese civil protection system is strengthened

The project contributes in trying to give a solution to in the event of disasters that could occur in the areas affected by the Ibleo-Maltese fault

Project activities will realize:

1 WebGis platform

1 Monitoring Network covering 50,000 sq. Kms

1 Alert system covering 10 sq. Kms

1 Mobile column of aid including: search and rescue equipment, logistical equipment, towable trailers, person transport vans and SUV

20 sq. Kms area where is possible to elaborate risk scenarios

The coronavirus pandemic adds a new level of challenges and risks and community leaders need to plan, in a structured way, how to deal with worst-case scenarios.

Through additional activities "COVID oriented" Simit-Tharsy project aims to address a pandemic and, simultaneously, a natural disaster in a cross-border area with the consequent need to propose procedures and guidelines to become truly resilient when facing multiple catastrophes at the same time.

Main objectives to be achieved:

a) test the civil protection exercise in a pandemic environment

b) create a permanent virtual laboratory on a web platform serving the Cross-border Civil Protection System for complex processing and big-data synthesis. The management of the virtual platform will be organized within the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding between the three Universities that will define the terms of the collaboration, guaranteeing the continuity and operation of the system in the years to come.

With reference to point a), activities will focus on the need to deal with an emergency and post-emergency during a corona virus pandemic.

With reference to point b) the laboratory will ensure the continuity of all operations that provide for the integration, sharing and discussion of the data collected by the different research groups headed by the three universities involved (Malta, Palermo, Catania). A laboratory capable of working also in presence of total or partial lockdown, due to the pandemic or any similar future circumstances. Laboratory basic functions are a cloud for data storage; a computing cloud; a platform for the management of videoconferences and video-lessons; a virtual platform for smart working; a platform for the management of interconnection of each node.

Outputs of main “COVID-oriented” activities are:

The updating of emergency procedures and emergency plans in a pandemic environment in the cross-border area (target 20 Sq. m.)

3 network nodes, one per each university involved in the project

1 Memorandum of understanding signed by Palermo, Catania e Malta Universities

Guidelines for the efficient use of a virtual laboratory

Guidelines for the creation of a well-organized and efficient virtual laboratory that would allow managing research and working activities in emergency and or lockdown conditions

Project Lead Partner:

Regione Siciliana - Dipartimento della Protezione Civile

Project Partners:

Università degli Studi di Palermo - Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile, Ambientale, Aerospaziale, dei Materiali

Università degli Studi di Catania - Dipartimento di Scienze Biologiche, Geologiche e Ambientali

Civil Protection Department

University of Malta Faculty of Science/ Department of Geosciences

Email

simit@protezionecivilesicilia.it

Website

https://www.unict.it/it/ricerca/progetti/simit-tharsy

http://www.simitproject.eu/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/SIMITTharsyProject