Spain National Platform

History

In July 2015, Law 17/2015 on the National Civil Protection System abolished the National Commission for Civil Protection and established the National Council for Civil Protection. Article 39.4 attributes the role of the Spanish Committee for the United Nations ISDR to the National Council for Civil Protection. 

In March 2017, the National Council for Civil Protection approved its rules of procedure. Article 9 of the rules establishes the mandate of the Council in its capacity as the Spanish Committee for the United Nations ISDR, as indicated in the following section.

Structure

The National Council for Civil Protection is an interministerial institution attached to the Ministry of the Interior. It consists of the following members: 

• Chair: Minister of the Interior
• Vice-Chair: Under-Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior
• Secretary: Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Emergencies 

Other members are representatives of the following authorities and political subdivisions: 

• Representatives of other ministerial departments appointed by the government
• Members of the Councils of Government of the Autonomous Communities and cities with a Statute of Autonomy, competent in civil protection matters (regional government level)
• President of the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces

Mandate

• Be aware of the criteria, guidelines and initiatives of the public administrations in relation to the prevention and mitigation of disaster risks
• Promote initiatives of the different public administrations and private entities to carry out actions that contribute to the improvement of the prevention and mitigation of risks of this nature
• Promote the implementation of preventive information programmes for citizens and education for prevention in schools
• Be aware of and disseminate the reports, recommendations, guidelines and programmes emanating from the United Nations organizations responsible for the implementation of the ISDR
• Promote the participation and coordination of activities of the different public administrations, private entities and specialized personnel in international cooperation programmes related to disaster prevention and mitigation
• Promote the improvement of scientific knowledge of natural, environmental and technological disasters and their effects
• Promote the strengthening of early warning systems

Activities

Realization of studies with respect to risk analysis as well as pilot projects with preventive character, which support disaster and emergency prevention planning. 

• Preparation of construction norms and guidelines for behaviour aiming at prevision, prevention, civil protection and emergency planning with respect to different hazards (heat/cold waves, thunder storms, droughts, inundations, storms, earth/seaquakes, volcanic eruptions).
• Risk mapping
• Development of studies and programmes with respect to information of the population, promotion of self-protection capabilities, support of civil participation in civil protection activities and development of school education programmes regarding disaster prevention.
• Implementation of theoretical and practical training courses and workshops related to disaster risk prevention, risk analysis and emergency management (via ENPC).
• Development of a simulation programme for earthquake impacts on a municipal basis (SES 2002) in cooperation with the National Geographic Institute.
• Implementation of an education programme for forest fire prevention focusing on young people at school age (component of the worldwide disaster prevention campaign of ISDR “Disaster Reduction begins at school 2006- 2007”) including online material for professional training of teachers.