Collaboration is key to effective civil protection. To ensure a safer, more equal future for the EU, a new generation of civil protection experts with a wide range of attributes, skills and knowledge must work together. In this series, we talk to young professionals in the civil protection domain to find out about their roles, motivations, and advice for others who want to work in this field.
What is your role, and what are you doing on a daily basis? What motivated you to get involved in civil protection/disaster management?
I am currently doing my PhD studies at the University of La Laguna (Tenerife, Spain) on geographical models applied to natural hazards and risks of natural origin. My research also focuses on issues of vulnerability and exposure. I propose and apply methodologies with the aim of contributing to disaster risk reduction. In relation to this, I have been working indirectly on the 2021 volcanic eruption that took place on the island of La Palma. This means I have been able to learn about many aspects of how civil protection and risk management systems work. In part, this is what has motivated me to get involved in this work.
Do you see yourself staying involved in civil protection for a long time? What would you like to be doing in the future?
Previously, I have been able to collaborate in different stages of the disaster management cycle (before, during and after the emergency) and I would like to continue with that. In the academic field, I have collaborated on the volcanic emergency plan (before the emergency), simulations of lava flows (during emergency) and the post-disaster recovery plan of La Palma (after the emergency). All these parts have involved vulnerability, threat exposure and risk analyses that I would like to continue developing in the future.
Was there a particular person in the community that you found/find inspiring that motivated you to take this path?
It was not one person specifically, but rather understanding what is being done on disaster management across the rest of Europe. This has encouraged me to see that I am on the right track, and that my work is valuable and of interest. Getting involved has allowed me to meet people from different fields and disciplines that can complement my own training. In risk management, it is always important to have a multidisciplinary vision that allows you to integrate different points of view.
How do you think the Union Civil Protection Mechanism should evolve?
I think the Union Civil Protection Mechanism should be able to create mechanisms so that all participating countries can develop disaster risk reduction strategies from a multidisciplinary perspective. In the same way, a multi-hazard approach should begin to be used in which all the dangers faced by a region are integrate in order to better assess the risk from a complete vision of the territory.
What advice would you give to people who want to get involved in civil protection or disaster management?
First of all, I encourage those who want to get involved in civil protection and disaster management to do so. Although sometimes it can be a complicated job where you have to make complex decisions, your work is worth it. Through it, you can contribute your own grain of sand, and together we can build more resilient societies.
The Knowledge Network editorial team is here to share the news and stories of the Knowledge Network community. We'd love to hear your news, events and personal stories about your life in civil protection and disaster risk management. If you've got a story to share, please contact us.
Thematic series
