Strategic Orientations of a Reformed UCPM

Abstract

The Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) since its creation have proved countless times the effectiveness of well-structured operalisation in the face of natural and man-made disasters. However, our changing world poses a never-ending challenge that test the ability to adapt on both an individual and communal level. To keep up is to reform – such is the base doctrine of the proposal for a regulation on the UCPM. The legislation proposal is both an outcome and driver when it comes to the topics of civil protection, resilience, preparedness, response, etc. as foreshadowed in many documents (strategies, reports, communications etc.) beforehand, further signifying its scale and importance. Reforms include a heavier emphasis on civil-military cooperation, the merging of civil protection and health programmes, a bigger scale with a more complex operalisation, and the inclusion of both society and government in the perpetual tasks related to the protection and safety of citizens. This paper aims to explore the key differences of both „old” and „new” UCPM, as well as the main changes the regulation intends to implement with its potential shortcomings.