The ERCC marks 10 years of operation in 2023. A chance to look back at the many achievements - and challenges - of a decade of coordinating response to emergencies worldwide. And for a centre that never stops working, a special focus on the EU's preparedness actions for this summer's wildfire season.
Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič welcomed a delegation of European ministers, high-level representatives, firefighters, and journalists to the European Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) on 30 May to mark the 10th anniversary of the ERCC. This occasion also offered an opportunity to present the EU's preparedness actions for this summer's wildfire season.
The inauguration of the ERCC in May 2013 changed the way the EU responds to disasters. Over the past 10 years, the ERCC has worked 24/7, 365 days a year, to respond to over 650 requests for assistance in support of countries affected by disasters.
In the last three years alone, it has implemented actions as part of the worldwide response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021; assistance to Ukraine (the most complex operation to date); and assistance (in record time) to respond to the earthquake that hit Türkiye and Syria.
Working closely with the UCPM member and participating states, counting on their solidarity and expertise, the ERCC has contributed to landmark achievements in European response to crises. Today, the ERCC is at the heart of Europe’s preparedness and response to emergencies, and is a global source of analytical and anticipatory information.
RescEU, a reserve of European capacities set up in 2019 and fully funded by the EU, added a new layer of protection from disasters. During his visit to the ERCC, Commissioner Lenarčič announced the doubling of the rescEU aerial firefighting fleet for the 2023 wildfire season. The ten EU member states that will host a total of 24 airplanes and four helicopters were presented with certificates of appreciation.
The operational level was represented by a group of firefighters, including leaders of the teams that will be pre-positioned in France, Italy and Greece during the wildfire season, and pilots who will fly rescEU aircraft. During the anniversary ceremony, they spoke about their preparations for the wildfires season.
Commissioner Lenarčič thanked them, stressing: “Wildfires have become a pan-European concern. They gravely affect lives, livelihoods and the environment. In total, 20 EU Member States recorded more burnt areas than average in 2022. The wildfire risk expanded to areas that have not previously been exposed, moving well beyond the Mediterranean region. This increase in wildfires requires decisive and prompt action, also at EU level”.
A temporary exhibition at the ERCC highlighted its analytical capacity and work behind the scenes. Visitors were able to experience how wildfires are extinguished in Spain in a Canadair aircraft through virtual reality (VR) goggles. Maps and other visuals illustrated some of the ERCC’s main activations in recent years, showcasing the scientific systems and services that enable the centre’s monitoring and anticipatory capacities.
Take the 360° virtual tour of the ERCC! On the tour you can:
Early Warning - Early Action: Special presentation of the ten years of UCPM activations supported by the EU.
This article is from issue 9 of the Knowledge Network newsletter, out soon. Discover our past issues on the Knowledge Network newsletter page!
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