Security of Territory: Methodologies and Technologies

In June, the chapter held a conference titled "Security of Territory: Methodologies and Technologies for Disaster Prevention and Emergency Management" at the National Firemen Corps High School, organized together with Sapienza Rome University and the Geomatics Laboratory of the University of L'Aquila. The audience was provided with a comprehensive overview of the main topics related to disaster prevention and, in case of seismic risks, to disaster management and mitigation actions. Lt. Gen. Pietro Finocchio, ITAF (Ret.), chapter president, welcomed the audience and introduced Gregorio Agresta, director of the school, who described the site as an extraordinary example of industrial heritage restored for public exploitation. A speech from Professor Massimo Guarascio first highlighted the need for suitable prevention and planning in case of natural disasters like earthquakes. This implies the availability of vulnerability maps and seismic risks of the whole National territory. This topic also was presented by Andrea Marino and Rachele Ferlito, Civil Protection Department, who underlined how these maps are fundamental for an appropriate damage evaluation. In addition Maria Zucconi, University of Rome, illustrated the benefits of using geographic information systems (GIS), by land mosaic, for supporting rescue activities. The impact assessment for such a risk was described by Paolo Clemente, ENEA, who said to estimate the losses, both in terms of human lives and damages to the economic system. Building technologies for reducing seismic damage was described by Alessandro Martelli, GLIS, who illustrated how techniques like seismic insulation are applicable both to new and existing buildings. In any case historical buildings should no longer host schools or hospitals. Other technological aspects were described during the second part of the event. Antonio Capobianco, FATA Informatica, illustrated data storage protection solutions, while Professor Donatella Dominici, University of L'Aquila, presented geomatics and remote sensing of historical buildings, and Fabrizio Pauri with Giorgio Forti, ESRI, described the GIS capability in supporting emergency management. The final speech was given by Professor Massimo Buscema, Semeion, who described how complex mathematics could help with new information gathering, beginning with data enabling system behavioral model definition. In the end, President Finocchio thanked all the speakers for their high-quality presentations and the attendees for the interest demonstrated along the entire event. He also pointed out the increasing interest of the chapter toward different cultural views beyond the military world.

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