Tag: media appearance

Guest Appearance – Euronews Serbia in North Macedonia: Investigation into the Fire in Kočani is Still Ongoing, Numerous Irregularities Being Determined)

Guest Appearance – Euronews Serbia in North Macedonia: Investigation into the Fire in Kočani is Still Ongoing, Numerous Irregularities Being Determined) Cvetković: The Tragedy Reveals Numerous Human, Technical, and Organizational Failures Commenting on the accident in a nightclub in North Macedonia, Professor Vladimir Cvetković, Director of the International Institute for Disaster Research, stated that this tragedy highlights numerous human, technical, and organizational failures, which cannot be attributed solely to the responsibility of the venue owner. “Responsibility does not rest solely on individuals but also on society as a whole when it comes to safety issues. In this particular case, the venue did not meet basic safety standards,” said Cvetković. He emphasized that the nightclub lacked adequate technical safety measures, such as a hydrant network, automatic fire detection, and suppression systems. He pointed out that a key failure was that inspectors did not conduct timely inspections of venues in North Macedonia, and the responsibility, in a hierarchical sense, extends to the Minister of Internal Affairs, who, in his view, did not take a sufficiently serious approach to improving the safety of public venues. “Very often, people themselves cause these types of fires, as was the case in Kočani, where the use of pyrotechnic devices led to the disaster,” Cvetković stressed. According to him, a similar situation exists in Serbia. “Unfortunately, I cannot say that the situation is significantly better. Emergency inspectors often react only after a tragedy has occurred,” Cvetković emphasized. He warned that Serbia lacks a national disaster risk reduction strategy, as well as a protection and rescue plan. “We still do not have a proactive system that identifies and reduces risks before tragedies occur,” said Cvetković. The professor particularly emphasized that all public venues must have fire protection plans and risk assessments, but in practice, many do not comply […]

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Disaster Preparedness and Risk Management: Key Insights from the Morning Show Interview – RTS Serbia

Disaster Preparedness and Risk Management: Key Insights from the Morning Show Interview – RTS Serbia Last year, Storm Boris swept across Central Europe, while devastating floods hit Spain and Germany, claiming at least 258 lives. These three disasters ranked among the ten costliest climate events worldwide in 2024, underscoring the critical importance of disaster preparedness. However, according to a recent Eurobarometer survey, fewer than four in ten Europeans believe they are well-prepared for disasters or emergencies in their areas. Even more concerning, fewer than one in ten respondents reported being informed about an emergency response plan in their city. The memory of the catastrophic 2014 floods in Serbia remains fresh. During that disaster, 57 people lost their lives, and the town of Obrenovac became a symbol of suffering, with approximately 90% of its territory submerged and nearly 9,000 residents evacuated. This raises pressing questions about Serbia’s preparedness for natural disasters, the effectiveness of its disaster response system, and necessary improvements to enhance resilience. During a recent morning show appearance, I, Professor Vladimir Cvetković from the Faculty of Security, had the opportunity to discuss these critical issues. The discussion revolved around several key aspects: Serbia’s Current Preparedness for Natural Disasters: Given the challenges posed by natural disasters, how prepared is Serbia to respond effectively? Improvements in the Disaster Protection and Rescue System: What needs to be enhanced to strengthen Serbia’s disaster response capabilities? Identifying Gaps in the Existing System: What are the main deficiencies in Serbia’s protection and rescue system, and which can be addressed in the short term? Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy (2022-2027): The Ministry of Internal Affairs has developed a draft strategy and action plan for disaster risk reduction and emergency management in Serbia. Although this critical regulatory framework has yet to be adopted, what are the key areas […]

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