Tag: V. M.

Understanding Ransomware Through the Lens of Disaster Risk: Implications for Cybersecurity and Economic Stability

Vidović, N., Cvetković, V. M., Beriša, H., & Milašinović, S. (2025). Understanding Ransomware Through the Lens of Disaster Risk: Implications for Cybersecurity and Economic Stability. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 247–264. Article Understanding Ransomware Through the Lens of Disaster Risk: Implications for Cybersecurity and Economic Stability Nikola Vidović1, Vladimir M. Cvetković 1,2,3*, Hatidža Beriša4, Srđan Milašinović5 1 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs (V.M.C); vidovicnikola.finance@gmail.com (N.V.); 2 Safety and Disaster Studies, Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversitaet, Leoben, Austria; vladimir.cvetkovic@unileoben.ac.at 3 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; 4 University of Defence, Military academy, Belgrade – Republic of Serbia, Veljka Lukića Kurjaka 1, 11000 Belgrade, hatidza.berisa@mod.gov.rs. 5 University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, Cara Dušana 196, Belgrade, srdjan.milasinovic@kpu.edu.rs. * Correspondence: vidovicnikola.finance@gmail.com. Received: 30 December 2024; Revised: 14 February 2025; Accepted: 13 April 2025; Published: 30 June 2025.   abstract     keywords   Ransomware has emerged as a modern digital crisis, mirroring the widespread disruptions typically associated with natural or artificial disasters. As global economies grow increasingly interconnected through digital systems, the fallout from ransomware attacks stretches far beyond mere technical breaches. These incidents result in severe financial damage, disrupt operations, erode reputations, and contribute to broader socioeconomic instability. This study adopts a disaster risk perspective to examine the broader economic and social impact of ransomware, particularly its effects on critical infrastructure and public trust in institutions. Through a multi-case analysis of sixteen significant ransomware attacks between 2015 and 2025, the research highlights a recurring pattern: direct and indirect costs often compound, with impacts varying from ransom demands and halted services to reputational loss and sector-wide vulnerabilities. The rise of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) has also made these attacks more accessible and complex, deepening the threat landscape. The findings underscore the need […]

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Industrial Disasters and Hazards: From Causes to Consequences—A Holistic Approach to Resilience

Cvetković, V. M., Renner, R., & Jakovljević, V. (2024). Industrial Disasters and Hazards: From Causes to Consequences—A Holistic Approach to Resilience. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 6(2), 149–168. Review Article Industrial Disasters and Hazards: From Causes to Consequences—A Holistic Approach to Resilience Vladimir M. Cvetković1,2,3,4*, Renate Renner2,4, Vladimir Jakovljević1,2 1 Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vučića 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs; vladimir.cvetkovic@unileoben. ac.at (V.M.C.); vjakov@fb.bg.ac.rs (V.J.). 2 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia. 3 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia. 4 Safety and Disaster Studies, Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversitaet, Leoben, Austria; renate.renner@unileoben.ac.at. * Correspondence: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs Received: 18 August 2024; Revised: 5 November 2024; Accepted 15 October; Published: 25 December   Abstract   Starting from accelerated industrial development, industrial disasters (chemical spills, explo- sions, nuclear accidents, etc.), which fall under man-made (technological) disasters, increasingly threaten human lives, the environment, and property. Their complexity and far-reaching conse- quences, both at the local and global levels, require effective management of industrial risks and the disasters themselves (preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery). For these reasons, the review paper aims to provide a holistic description of the diverse causes, dynamics, and multidi- mensional consequences of disasters. Additionally, it highlights and explains the key factors that directly or indirectly contribute to their occurrence. Furthermore, it could be said that the paper ana- lyzes existing strategies for managing risks from industrial disasters and systematizes recommen- dations for improving preventive and reactive measures in high-risk industries. On the other side, the paper utilizes a comprehensive literature review, which involves the systematic identification, review, analysis, and critical evaluation of existing scientific papers, studies, reports, and regulatory documents on industrial disasters. Besides that, it also includes a detailed analysis of well-known industrial […]

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Capacity development of local self-governments for disaster risk management

Cvetković, V. M., Tanasić, J., Ocal, A., Kešetović, Ž., Nikolić, N., & Dragašević, A. (2021). Capacity development of local self-governments for disaster risk management. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 10406. Article Capacity Development of Local Self-Governments for Disaster Risk Management Vladimir M. Cvetkovic´ 1,2,*, Jasmina Tanasic´ 3, Adem Ocal 4, Želimir Kešetovic´ 1, Neda Nikolic´ 5 and Aleksandar Dragaševic´ 5 1 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucˇic´a 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; zelimir.kesetovic@fb.bg.ac.rs 2 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovic´a 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 3 Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, 11103 Belgrade, Serbia; jasmina.tanasic@skgo.org 4 Independent Researcher, Ankara 06500, Turkey; ocadem@gmail.com 5 Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 32102 Cˇ acˇak, Serbia; neda.nikolic@ftn.kg.ac.rs (N.N.); aleksandar.dragasevic@ftn.kg.ac.rs (A.D.) * Correspondence: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs   check for updates Citation: Cvetkovic´, V.M.; Tanasic´, J.; Ocal, A.; Kešetovic´, Ž.; Nikolic´, N.; Dragaševic´, A. Capacity Development of Local Self-Governments for Disaster Risk Management. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 10406. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph181910406 Academic Editor: Paul B. Tchounwou Received: 28 July 2021 Accepted: 16 September 2021 Published: 2 October 2021 Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affil- iations.   Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). Abstract: The objective of this research was to examine the capacity development of local self- governments in the field of disaster risk management (DRM). This quantitative research examines the degree of implementation of strategic, legislative, and institutional frameworks, as well as the capacity of local authorities to apply related policies through five analytical scopes: (1) degree of preparedness and legal framework; (2) financial framework; (3) policy aspects; (4) cooperation and partnership; (5) communication. The ability of municipalities and towns to respond to disasters was also analyzed and compared. In […]

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A Systematic Literary Review on Community Resilience Indicators: Adaptation and Application of the BRIC Method for Measuring Disasters Resilience

Milenković, D. ., Cvetković, V. M., & Renner, R. (2024). A Systematic Literary Review on Community Resilience Indicators: Adaptation and Application of the BRIC Method for Measuring Disasters Resilience. c, 6(2), 79–104. Review Article A Systematic Literary Review on Community Resilience Indicators: Adaptation and Application of the BRIC Method for Measuring Disasters Resilience Dalibor Milenković1,3, Vladimir M. Cvetković 1,2,3,4*, Renate Renner 4,1 1 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; milenkovic.dalibor82@gmail.com; 2 Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vučića 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; 3 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; 4 Safety and Disaster Studies, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversität of Leoben, Franz Josef-Straße 18, 8700 Leoben, Austria; renate.renner@unileoben.ac.at * Correspondence: vladimir.cvetkovic@unileoben.ac.at Received: 17 August 2024; Revised: 9 November 2024; Accepted 5 December; Published: 25 December   Abstract     Keywords   Community resilience represents an important concept in the comprehensive approach to dis- aster management. It is assumed that optimal community resilience can mitigate negative impacts and enable adaptation, thereby reducing the negative consequences of future disasters. The meas- urement of community resilience to disasters has advanced over the past two decades, primarily through the use of indicators that measure community resilience indices. The Baseline Resilience Indicators for Communities (BRIC) represent an increasingly popular and frequently used quanti- tative method for measuring community resilience indices to disasters. This literature review was conducted to examine and assess the use and adaptation of the BRIC method in measuring commu- nity resilience. The review comprehensively analyzes relevant scientific papers, extracting and syn- thesizing the most important findings from the studies, which provided the necessary data to meet the objectives of the literature review. A total of 37 relevant studies were identified for analysis in the review. The indicators used were examined, […]

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A Predictive Model of Pandemic Disaster Fear Caused by Coronavirus (COVID-19): Implications for Decision-Makers

Cvetković, V. M., Nikolić, N., Ocal, A., Martinović, J., & Dragašević, A. (2022). A Predictive Model of Pandemic Disaster Fear Caused by Coronavirus (COVID-19): Implications for Decision-Makers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(2), 652. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19020652 Article A Predictive Model of Pandemic Disaster Fear Caused by Coronavirus (COVID-19): Implications for Decision-Makers Vladimir M. Cvetkovic´ 1,2,3,*, Neda Nikolic´ 4, Adem Ocal 5, Jovana Martinovic´ 2,3 and Aleksandar Dragaševic´ 4 1 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucˇic´a 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 2 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovic´a 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; jovanamartino@gmail.com 3 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovic´ 121, 11056 Belgrade, Serbia 4 Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 32102 Cacak, Serbia; neda.nikolic@ftn.kg.ac.rs (N.N.); aleksandar.dragasevic@ftn.kg.ac.rs (A.D.) 5 Independent Researcher, Ankara 06500, Turkey; ocadem@gmail.com * Correspondence: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs   check for updates Citation: Cvetkovic´, V.M.; Nikolic´, N.; Ocal, A.; Martinovic´, J.; Dragaševic´, A. A Predictive Model of Pandemic Disaster Fear Caused by Coronavirus (COVID-19): Implications for Decision-Makers. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 652. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph19020652 Academic Editor: Antonio Palazón-Bru Received: 7 November 2021 Accepted: 22 December 2021 Published: 7 January 2022 Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affil- iations.   Copyright: © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). Abstract: This paper presents quantitative research results regarding a predictive model of pandemic disaster fear caused by the coronavirus disease (COVI˙D-19). The aim of this paper was to establish the level and impact of certain demographic and socioeconomic characteristics on pandemic disaster fear caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19). The research was conducted using a questionnaire that was provided and then collected online for 1226 respondents during May 2021. A closed, five-point Likert scale was used to create the structured […]

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Understanding the Sustainable Development of Community (Social) Disaster Resilience in Serbia: Demographic and Socio-Economic Impacts

Cvetković, V. M., & Šišović, V. (2024). Understanding the Sustainable Development of Community (Social) Disaster Resilience in Serbia: Demographic and Socio-Economic Impacts. Sustainability, 16(7), 2620. Article Understanding the Sustainable Development of Community (Social) Disaster Resilience in Serbia: Demographic and Socio-Economic Impacts Vladimir M. Cvetković 1,2,3* and Vanja Šišović 2 1 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 2 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; sisovicvanjasv@gmail.com 3 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia * Correspondence: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs Citation: Cvetković, V.M.; Šišović, V. Understanding the Sustainable Development of Community (Social) Disaster Resilience in Serbia: Demographic and Socio-Economic Impacts. Sustainability 2024, 16, x. https://doi.org/10.3390/xxxxx Academic Editor(s): Name Received: 17 February 2024 Revised: 4 March 2024 Accepted: 15 March 2024 Published: date   Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Submitted for possible open access publication under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/license s/by/4.0/). Abstract: This paper presents the results of quantitative research examining the impacts of demo- graphic and socioeconomic factors on the sustainable development of community disaster resilience. The survey was carried out utilizing a questionnaire distributed to, and subsequently collected online from, 321 participants during January 2024. The study employed an adapted version of the ‘5S’ social resilience framework (62 indicators), encompassing five sub-dimensions—social structure, social capital, social mechanisms, social equity and diversity, and social belief. To explore the rela- tionship between predictors and the sustainable development of community disaster resilience in Serbia, various statistical methods, such as t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and mul- tivariate linear regression, were used. The results of the multivariate regressions across various com- munity disaster resilience subscales indicate that age emerged as the most significant predictor for the social structure subscale. At the same time, education stood out as the primary predictor for the social capital […]

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Understanding Ransomware Through the Lens of Disaster Risk: Implications for Cybersecurity and Economic Stability

Vidović, N., Cvetković, V. M., Beriša, H., & Milašinović, S. (2025). Understanding Ransomware Through the Lens of Disaster Risk: Implications for Cybersecurity and Economic Stability. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202504.1950.v1 Article Understanding Ransomware Through the Lens of Disaster Risk: Implications for Cybersecurity and Economic Stability Nikola Vidović1, Vladimir M. Cvetković 1,2,3*, Hatidža Beriša4, Srđan Milašinović5 1 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs (V.M.C); vidovicnikola.finance@gmail.com (N.V.); 2 Safety and Disaster Studies, Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversitaet, Leoben, Austria; vladimir.cvetkovic@unileoben.ac.at 3 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; 4 University of Defence, Military academy, Belgrade – Republic of Serbia, Veljka Lukića Kurjaka 1, 11000 Belgrade, hatidza.berisa@mod.gov.rs. 5 University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, Cara Dušana 196, Belgrade, srdjan.milasinovic@kpu.edu.rs. * Correspondence: vidovicnikola.finance@gmail.com. Received: 30 December 2024; Revised: 14 February 2025; Accepted: 13 April 2025; Published: 30 June 2025.   abstract     keywords   Ransomware has emerged as a modern digital crisis, mirroring the widespread disruptions typically associated with natural or artificial disasters. As global economies grow increasingly interconnected through digital systems, the fallout from ransomware attacks stretches far beyond mere technical breaches. These incidents result in severe financial damage, disrupt operations, erode reputations, and contribute to broader socioeconomic instability. This study adopts a disaster risk perspective to examine the broader economic and social impact of ransomware, particularly its effects on critical infrastructure and public trust in institutions. Through a multi-case analysis of sixteen significant ransomware attacks between 2015 and 2025, the research highlights a recurring pattern: direct and indirect costs often compound, with impacts varying from ransom demands and halted services to reputational loss and sector-wide vulnerabilities. The rise of Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) has also made these attacks more accessible and complex, deepening the threat landscape. The findings underscore the need to integrate cybersecurity into comprehensive disaster […]

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The role of social media in the process of informing the public about disaster risks

Cvetkovic, V. M. ., Nikolic, A., & Ivanov, A. (2023). The role of social media in the process of informing the public about disaster risks. Journal of Liberty and International Affairs, 9(2), 104-119. THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE PROCESS OF INFORMING THE PUBLIC ABOUT DISASTER RISKS Vladimir M. Cvetković1, Aleksandra Nikolić2, Aleksandar Ivanov3* 1Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3450-0658  vladimirkpa@gmail.com 2International Institute for Disaster Research – Belgrade, Serbia  sana.alexandra97@gmail.com 3Faculty of Security – Skopje, University St. Kliment Ohridski in Bitola, North Macedonia https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3996-7034  aleksandar.ivanov@uklo.edu.mk   Abstract: Social media informs the public about the most important events and conveys important information. Before, during, and after disasters, social media are used to disseminate information about disasters and collect data relevant to the implementation of preparedness, response, and recovery activities and measures. Social networks are effective in disseminating information and warnings, as well as in educating the public. The subject of the research is examining the influence of demographic factors on the effectiveness of social media in informing the public about the risks of disasters. Using an online survey questionnaire and according to the snowball principle, a survey of 247 respondents was conducted in 2022. The research results show no statistically significant relationship between the respondents’ education level and the assessment of the effectiveness of social media reporting on disasters. Using social media can improve communication between stakeholders in disaster management and facilitate coordination of efforts, fostering communication and allocation of resources. To effectively use social media in disaster management, decision- makers in the disaster management system must be aware of new technologies, their disadvantages and advantages, and ways to collect and analyze data from social networks. Keywords: Disasters; Social Media; Informing; Public; Risks; Serbia   INTRODUCTION Social networks can help develop public awareness of disasters and share real-time information (Epstein, Pawa, and Simon 2015). […]

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The Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors on Local Attitudes Towards Sustainable Tourism Development in Skadar Lake and Durmitor National Parks, Montenegro

Manojlović, B., Cvetković, V. M., Renner, R., Grozdanić, G., & Perošević, N. (2025). The Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors on Local Attitudes Towards Sustainable Tourism Development in Skadar Lake and Durmitor National Parks, Montenegro. Sustainability, 17(7), 3200. Article The Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors on Local Attitudes Towards Sustainable Tourism Development in Skadar Lake and Durmitor National Parks, Montenegro Branka Manojlovic´ 1, Vladimir M. Cvetkovic´ 1,2,3,*, Renate Renner 2, Goran Grozdanic´ 4 and Nenad Peroševic´ 4 1 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovic´a 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; brankabrankica92@gmail.com 2 Safety and Disaster Studies, Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversitaet, 8700 Leoben, Austria; renanate.renner@unileoben.ac.at 3 Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 4 Faculty of Philosophy, University of Montenegro, Danila Bojovic´a bb., 81400 Nikšic´, Montenegro; gorangr@ucg.ac.me (G.G.) * Correspondence: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs or vladimir.cvetkovic´@unileoben.ac.at   Academic Editor: Harry Coccossis Received: 19 February 2025 Revised: 19 March 2025 Accepted: 31 March 2025 Published: 3 April 2025 Citation: Manojlovic´, B.; Cvetkovic´, V.M.; Renner, R.; Grozdanic´, G.; Peroševic´, N. The Influence of Socio-Demographic Factors on Local Attitudes Towards Sustainable Tourism Development in Skadar Lake and Durmitor National Parks, Montenegro. Sustainability 2025, 17, 3200. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su17073200 Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0/). Abstract: This study investigates the attitudes of local residents regarding the impacts of sustainable tourism development in two national parks in Montenegro: Skadar Lake National Park (NP) and Durmitor National Park (NP). The aim is to identify the key factors that shape these attitudes and to discern the differences in perceptions between the residents of these two areas. The research is based on the assumption that socio-demographic characteristics, such as gender, age, and level of education, significantly influence attitudes […]

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The Assessment of Public Health Capacities at Local Self-Governments in Serbia

Cvetković, V.M., Tanasić, J.; Ocal, A., Živković-Šulović, M., Ćurić, N., Milojević, S., Knežević, S. (2023). The Assessment of Public Health Capacities at Local Self-Governments in Serbia. Lex Localis, 21(4), 1201-1234. The Assessment of Public Health Capacities at Local Self-governments in Serbia Vladimir M. Cvetković, Jasmina Tanasić, Adem Öcal, Mirjana Živković- Šulović, Nedeljko Ćurić, Stefan Milojević & Snežana Knežević Abstract The objective of this quantitative study was to examine the impact of selected factors on the level and state of public health capacities in local self-government units in 2021. This survey included 77 out of 145 local self-government units in the Republic of Serbia and examined six dimensions defined by the Law on Public Health. The results of the Pearson correlation showed that there were statistically significant correlations between the effectiveness of the realized program budget and microbiologically defective drinking water samples from the so-called village water supply systems, defective samples of drinking water from public taps, unsatisfactory analyses of wastewater samples, and the number of mandated fines issued. The results of the logistic regression model showed that the local self-government units that received assistance from the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities were 5.6 times more likely to perform analyses of their health status. Keywords: • public health • local self-government • capacity development • Serbia   CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS: Vladimir Cvetković, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Security Studies, Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs. Jasmina Tanasić, Ph.D., Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, Makedonska 22/VIII, Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: jasmina.tanasic@skgo.org. Adem Öcal, Ph.D., Independent Researcher, Ankara, Turkey, e-mail: ocadem@gmail.co. Mirjana Živković-Šulović, Institute of Public Health of Serbia, Dr Milan Jovanović Batut, dr Subotića starijeg 5, Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: mirjanasulovic@gmail.com. Nedeljko Ćurić, Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, Makedonska 22/VIII, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: nedeljko.curic@skgo.org. Stefan Milojević, Ph.D., Associate Professor, EDUCONS University, Faculty of Business Economics, Vojvode Putnika 87, […]

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Sustainable Earthquake Preparedness: A Cross-Cultural Comparative Analysis in Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia

Grozdanić, G., Cvetković, V. M., Lukić, T., & Ivanov, A. (2024). Sustainable Earthquake Preparedness: A Cross-Cultural Comparative Analysis in Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Sustainability, 16(8). Article Sustainable Earthquake Preparedness: A Cross-Cultural Comparative Analysis in Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia Goran Grozdanic´ 1,2, Vladimir M. Cvetkovic´ 2,3,4,*, Tin Lukic´ 5 and Aleksandar Ivanov 6 1 Faculty of Philosophy, University of Montenegro, Danila Bojovic´a bb., 81400 Nikšic´, Montenegro; gorangr@ucg.ac.me 2 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 3 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovic´a 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 4 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovic´a 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 5 Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovic´a 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; tin.lukic@dgt.uns.ac.rs 6 Faculty of Security—Skopje, University St. Kliment Ohridski Bitola, 7000 Bitola, North Macedonia; aleksandar.ivanov@uklo.edu.mk * Correspondence: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs   Citation: Grozdanic´, G.; Cvetkovic´, V.M.; Lukic´, T.; Ivanov, A. Sustainable Earthquake Preparedness: A Cross-Cultural Comparative Analysis in Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. Sustainability 2024, 16, 3138. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/su16083138 Academic Editor: Moe Mojtahedi Received: 18 March 2024 Revised: 8 April 2024 Accepted: 9 April 2024 Published: 9 April 2024   Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). Abstract: Authorities and governmental bodies strongly emphasize the importance of residents preparing for natural disasters, particularly underscoring the significance of readiness for geophysical hazards like earthquakes. In this study, which represents comparative quantitative research, the levels and predictors of the impact on preparedness for earthquake-induced disasters in South-Eastern European countries such as Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia are examined. Using the snowball sampling technique (online questionnaire), a survey of 1245 respondents (Montenegro (n = 400), North Macedonia (n = 345), and Serbia (n = 500) was conducted from February 2023 […]

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Sustainable development of trust and police presence in schools: implications for school safety policy

Jankovic, B. ., Cvetkovic, V. M. ., Ivanovic, Z. ., Ivanov, A., Jovanovic, S. ., & Otasevic, B. (2023). Sustainable development of trust and police presence in schools: implications for school safety policy. Journal of Liberty and International Affairs, 9(3), 22-52. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF TRUST AND POLICE PRESENCE IN SCHOOLS: IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL SAFETY POLICY Bojan Janković1, Vladimir M. Cvetković2, Zvonimir Ivanović3, Aleksandar Ivanov4*, Svetlana Jovanović5, Božidar Otašević6 1University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies – Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3872-3090  bojan.jankovic@kpu.edu.rs 2Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Serbia; Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3450-0658  vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs 3University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies – Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1101-6169  zvonimir.ivanovic@kpu.edu.rs 4Faculty of Security – Skopje, University “St. Kliment Ohridski” – Bitola, North Macedonia https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3996-7034  aleksandar.ivanov@uklo.edu.mk 5Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Serbia  petrovic.svetlana@fon.bg.ac.rs 6University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies – Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6663-2874  bozidar.otasevic@kpu.edu.rs   Abstract: The study aims to determine the trust and presence of police officers in schools in Serbia, as well as the perception of the principals and secretaries, teachers and staff, parents, and students on how successful the specific police units dedicated to schools were in fulfilling their tasks. The ex-post analysis was conducted through PEST/SWAT analysis, mapping the key actors and using batteries of online questionnaires, besides interviews with the MOI representatives, surveyed with personal interviewing, computer-aided surveying, desk analysis, and content analysis. The survey was conducted from September 2021 to June 2022. The research methods were implemented in 1140 schools in Serbia, and 8,617 people were included in surveys: police officers (308); principals and secretaries (1085); the team for protection against discrimination (982); teachers and staff (2988); parents (938) and students (2316). The relationships between the covariates and perception were investigated using the t-test, one-way ANOVA, multivariate linear regression, and binary regression. The results showed that a project of school police officers was not […]

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Relations between police and private security officers: A case study of Serbia

Janković, B., Cvetković, V. M., Milojević, S., & Ivanović, Z. (2021). Relations between police and private security officers: A case study of Serbia. Security Journal. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41284-020-00236-z Relations between police and private security officers: a case study of Serbia Bojan Janković1 · Vladimir M. Cvetković2 · Saša Milojević1 · Zvonimir Ivanović1 Accepted: 23 February 2021 © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited 2021 Abstract In the last few years, under the influence of various circumstances, the demand for the private security industry has increased in Serbia. The aim of this research is to examine the extent and quality of cooperation between members of the public and private security sector as the mutual perception of its members because their rela- tions are important for establishing a safe environment for citizens. The survey was conducted from February to June 2019 using a questionnaire among 190 police officers and 178 security personnel. The results of this research showed that mutual relations between the private security personnel and police officers are satisfactory, but also that members of private security look at these relations from a brighter side and have a very positive attitude towards members of the police, while members of the police view these relations more negatively. The results of this research can be used for planning campaigns to improve the relationships between police officers and security personnel. Keywords Private security · Police · Perceptions · Relations · Survey · Serbia Introduction Modern societies are facing new sources and forms of personal and property security endangerment of citizens (Cvetković et al. 2020; Goyal 2019; Kaur 2020; Xuesong and Kapucu 2019). To satisfy the human need for the sense of security, there has been an increase in demand for services traditionally provided by state authorities, primarily the police (Cvetković and Janković 2020; Janković and Cvetković 2020). Resulting from the inability to meet […]

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Qualitative insights into cultural heritage protection in Serbia: Evaluating legal and institutional gaps

  Cvetković, V. M., Gole, S., Renner, R., & Lukić, T. (2024). Qualitative insights into cultural heritage protection in Serbia: Evaluating legal and institutional gaps. In Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts & University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences (Eds.), Geospatial and environmental dynamics: Between fundamental and applied scientific research – Abstract book (pp. 103–104). Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management. Qualitative insights into cultural heritage protection in Serbia: Evaluating legal and institutional gaps   Vladimir M. Cvetković*1,2,3,4, Stefan Gole2, Renate Renner2,4, Tin Lukić5 1 Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs; vladimir.cvetkovic@ unileoben.ac.rs 2 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 3 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 4 Safety and Disaster Studies, Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversitaet, Leoben, Austria 5 University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad, Serbia * Corresponding author: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs This research is dedicated to a comprehensive examination of the strengt- hs and weaknesses inherent in the legal and institutional measures designed to protect cultural heritage in the Republic of Serbia from the adverse effe- cts of natural disasters, including earthquakes, landslides, rockfalls, f loods, torrents, storms, hail, and forest fires. The study aims to identify the primary challenges and shortcomings within the existing legal and institutional fra- mework, while also pinpointing and analyzing best practices and potential improvements for the protection system. This research posits a preliminary hypothesis suggesting that challenges may exist within the legal and insti- tutional framework for the protection of cultural heritage in the Republic of Serbia, potentially limiting effective response and recovery following natu-   Geospatial and Environmental Dynamics: Between Fundamental and […]

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Qualitative insights into cultural heritage protection in Serbia: Addressing legal and institutional gaps for disaster risk resilience

Cvetković, V. M., Gole, S., Renner, R., Jakovljević, V., & Lukić, T. (2024). Qualitative insights into cultural heritage protection in Serbia: Addressing legal and institutional gaps for disaster risk resilience. Open Geosciences, 16(1), 20220755. Research Article Vladimir M. Cvetković*, Stefan Gole, Renate Renner, Vladimir Jakovljević, and Tin Lukić Qualitative insights into cultural heritage protection in Serbia: Addressing legal and institutional gaps for disaster risk resilience https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2022-0755 received November 18, 2024; accepted December 07, 2024 Abstract: This research is dedicated to a comprehensive exploration of the strengths and weaknesses inherent in the legal and institutional measures established to safe- guard cultural heritage in the Republic of Serbia against the adverse effects of disasters, including earthquakes, landslides, rockfalls, floods, torrents, storms, hail, and forest fires. The study seeks to identify key challenges and shortcomings within the existing legal and institu- tional framework while also highlighting and analyzing best practices and potential avenues for improvement in the protection system. The research posits a preliminary hypothesis suggesting that significant challenges exist  * Corresponding author: Vladimir M. Cvetković, Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia; Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia; International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia; Safety and Disaster Studies, Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversitaet, Leoben, Austria, e-mail: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs; vladimir.cvetkovic@unileoben.ac.at Stefan Gole: Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: golestefan@gmail.com Renate Renner: Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia; Safety and Disaster Studies, Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversitaet, Leoben, Austria, e-mail: renate.renner@unileoben.ac.at Vladimir Jakovljević: Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University […]

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Public reactions to the disaster COVID-19: A comparative study in Italy, Lebanon, Portugal, and Serbia

Öcal, A., Cvetković, V. M., Baytiyeh, H., Tedim, F. M. S., & Zečević, M. (2020). Public reactions to the disaster COVID-19: A comparative study in Italy, Lebanon, Portugal, and Serbia. Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 11(1), 1864–1885. Public reactions to the disaster COVID-19: a comparative study in Italy, Lebanon, Portugal, and Serbia Adem Öcal , Vladimir M. Cvetković , Hoda Baytiyeh , Fantina Maria Santos Tedim & Miodrag Zečević To cite this article: Adem Öcal , Vladimir M. Cvetković , Hoda Baytiyeh , Fantina Maria Santos Tedim & Miodrag Zečević (2020) Public reactions to the disaster COVID-19: a comparative study in Italy, Lebanon, Portugal, and Serbia, Geomatics, Natural Hazards and Risk, 11:1, 1864-1885 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/19475705.2020.1811405   © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. View supplementary material   Published online: 07 Sep 2020. Submit your article to this journal View related articles View Crossmark data   Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at https://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=tgnh20 GEOMATICS, NATURAL HAZARDS AND RISK 2020, VOL. 11, NO. 1, 1864–1885 https://doi.org/10.1080/19475705.2020.1811405 Public reactions to the disaster COVID-19: a comparative study in Italy, Lebanon, Portugal, and Serbia Adem O€ cala, Vladimir M. Cvetkovi,cb, Hoda Baytiyehc, Fantina Maria Santos Tedimd and Miodrag Ze~cevi,ce ‌aIndependent Researcher, Ankara, Turkey; bFaculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; cDepartment of Education, American University, Beirut, Lebanon; dFaculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; eFaculty of International Engineering Management, European University, Belgrade, Serbia‌‌ ABSTRACT A new coronavirus emerged in December 2019 and quickly spread globally, causing unprecedented social, psychological, and economic damage. This study aimed to investigate people’s emo- tional reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic. The dataset for this study consisted of 2,013 adults (962 males and 1,053 females) in four countries (Italy, Lebanon, Portugal, and Serbia). A snowball sampling […]

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Percepcija rizika od zemljotresa u Republici Srbiji: teorijsko-empirijska studija

Cvetković, V. M., & Filipović, M. (2019). Percepcija rizika od zemljotresa u Republici Srbiji: teorijsko-empirijska studija [Earthquake risk perception in the Republic of Serbia: Theoretical-empirical study]. Vojno delo, 71(2), 142–159 ПЕРЦЕПЦИЈА РИЗИКА ОД ЗЕМЉОТРЕСА У РЕПУБЛИЦИ СРБИЈИ – ТЕОРИЈСКО-ЕМПИРИЈСКА СТУДИЈА   Владимир М. Цветковић, Марина Филиповић Универзитет у Београду, Факултет безбедности Предмет квантитативног истраживања представља испитивање нивоa перцепције ризика од земљотреса и његовe повезано- сти са демографским, друштвеним и психолошким факторима. При- меном стратегије испитивања у домаћинствима спроведено је анкет- но испитивање у којем је анкетирано 1.018 грађана техником личног интервјуа. Резултати истраживања показују да на перцепцију веро- ватноће настанка земљотреса статистистички значајно утичу године старости, ниво образовања, брачни статус, власништво над објектом, приходи домаћинства и запосленост. У циљу унапређења безбедно- сти грађана Србије, неопходно је осмислити стратегије и кампање за унапређење припремљености грађана за реаговање у природним ка- тастрофама изазваним земљотресом.   Кључне речи: вероватноћа, грађани, земљотрес, перцепција ри- зика, последице, Србија Увод М   ногобројна истраживања из области катастрофа су од свог зачетка у људској еколошкој традицији па све до данас, наглашавала значај јавне перцепције о природним катастрофама (Burton, 1993). Сама перцепција ризика представља субјек- тивни суд појединца о карактеристикама и озбиљности ризика (Slovic, 1992). Она игра најзначајнију улогу у процесу ефикасног планирања и припремања за реаговање на катастрофе. Перцепција ризика и способност пружања адекватног одговора у природ- ним катастрофама условљена је индивидуалним разумевањем природних опасности (Anderson-Berry and King 2005; Miceli, Sotgiu, and Settanni 2008). Поједини истраживачи посебно истичу да пажљиве анализе перцепције ризика не унапређују само припре- мљеност за реаговање већ утичу на краткорочан и дугорочан опоравак једне локалне    Рад је резултат истраживања на пројекту Безбедност и заштита организовања и функционисања васпитно-образовних система у Републици Србији (основна начела, принципи, процедуре и средства), бр. 47017, који финансира Министарство просвете, науке и технолошког развоја Републике Србије а реализује НИО Факултет безбедности. Поред […]

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Enhancing resilience and addressing vulnerability through risk communication in waste management: Tackling landfill fires and disaster risks in Serbia

Cvetković, V. M., Renner, R., Nikolić, N., & Raupenstrauch, H. (2025, May 27–31). Enhancing resilience and addressing vulnerability through risk communication in waste management: Tackling landfill fires and disaster risks in Serbia. In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Industrial and Hazardous Waste Management (CRETE 2025). Chania, Greece. Enhancing Resilience and Addressing Vulnerability through Risk Communica- tion in Waste Management: Tackling Landfill Fires and Disaster Risks in Serbia Vladimir M. Cvetković1,2,3*, Renate Renner1, Neda Nikolić4, Harald Rau- penstrauch1 1 Safety and Disaster Studies, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engi- neering, Montanuniversität of Leoben, Franz Josef-Straße 18, 8700 Leoben, Austria; vladimir.cvetkovic@unileoben.ac.at (V.M.C.); renate.renner@unileoben.ac.at (R.R.); harald.raupenstrauch@unileoben.ac.at (H.R.); 2 Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vučića 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; 3 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; 4 Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 32102, Cačak, Serbia; neda.ni- kolic@ftn.kg.ac.rs. * Correspondence: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs Key words: resilience, vulnerability, risk communication, waste management, disaster risk reduction. Extended abstract: Waste management in Serbia is characterized by numerous challenges, risks, and threats to both public safety and the environment. Preli- minary analyses have identified a range of issues that are directly or indirectly related to the following: a) non-selective waste separation; b) inadequate facili- ties for safe waste disposal; c) numerous and prolonged landfill fires that rele- ase toxic substances (dioxins, furans, etc.); d) lack of sanitary landfills; e) impro- per treatment of industrial waste; f) landslides and contamination of gro- undwater; g) insufficient oversight and control; h) low levels of environmental awareness and citizen engagement; i) lack of recycling infrastructure; j) ina- dequate funding and investment in waste management; k) illegal waste dispo- sal and the prevalence of unauthorized landfills; l) poor energy utilization of waste; m) insufficient integration of circular economy principles; n) issues rela- ted to medical waste […]

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Optimising Disaster Resilience Through Advanced Risk Management and Financial Analysis of Critical Infrastructure in the Serbian Defence Industry

Vidović, N., Cvetković, V. M., & Beriša, H. (2024). Optimising Disaster Resilience Through Advanced Risk Management and Financial Analysis of Critical Infrastructure in the Serbian Defence Industry. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 6(2), 183–200. Research Article Optimising Disaster Resilience Through Advanced Risk Management and Financial Analysis of Critical Infrastructure in the Serbian Defence Industry Nikola Vidović1, Hatidža Beriša1,2*, Vladimir M. Cvetković2,3,4,5 1 University of Defence, Military Academy – Belgrade, Republic of Serbia; vidovicnikola.finance@gmail.com (N.V.); berisa.hatidza@gmail.com (H.B.) 2 Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security Studies, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs; 3 Safety and Disaster Studies, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversität of Leoben, Franz Josef-Straße 18, 8700 Leoben, Austria; vladimir.cvetkovic@unileoben.ac.at 4 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; 5 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia. * Correspondence: berisa.hatidza@gmail.com Received: 2 August 2024; Revised: 5 September 2024; Accepted 28 October; Published: 25 December   Abstract     Keywords   This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the financial factors and risk management strat- egies essential for optimizing disaster resilience within the Serbian defence industry’s critical infra- structure. The significance of this sector is multi-faceted, impacting national security, economic sta- bility, and technological advancement. Primarily, the Serbian defence industry ensures the preserva- tion of vital defence interests, maintaining Serbia’s independence from foreign sources for weapons and military equipment in both peacetime and wartime. Economically, it is a significant employer of the working-age population, directly affecting local employment rates, fostering economic devel- opment, and ensuring the sustainable growth of this crucial sector. This, in turn, stimulates broader economic activity and enhances social cohesion while strengthening the national balance of pay- ments through increased export potential. From a technological perspective, the defence industry drives scientific, technological, and industrial development, reinforcing Serbia’s global political and […]

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Legal and Organizational Framework for the Use of Search and Rescue Dogs in Disasters: A Comparative Analysis between Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia

Cvetković, V. M., & Miljković, N. (2024). Legal and Organizational Framework for the Use of Search and Rescue Dogs in Disasters: A Comparative Analysis between Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. 10. International European Congress on Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences, 26-28 July 2024, Amsterdam, Netherlands, pp. 1254-1268. LEGAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE USE OF SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS IN DISASTERS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN SERBIA, CROATIA, AND SLOVENIA Vladimir M. Cvetković 1,2,3*, Nemanja Miljković2 1Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security Studies, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs 2Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; 3International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia. ABSTRACT This study critically explores the legislative frameworks and national regulations of Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia concerning the engagement, training, and responsibilities of search and rescue dogs and their handlers.. The goal is to offer a thorough understanding of how these dogs and their handlers are engaged, trained, and managed in each country. By carefully analyzing the legal foundations, the study aims to clarify the rights, duties, and responsibilities of all parties involved, ensuring that search and rescue dog deployments are conducted within a structured and lawful framework. Such an understanding is crucial for improving disaster management and ensuring a coordinated response to various emergencies. The findings reveal that although each country has strong legal provisions for deploying search and rescue dogs, there are significant differences in the detail and scope of these regulations. Slovenia is notable for its detailed guidelines, regular evaluations, and licensing processes, setting a high standard. Croatia benefits from strong institutional support and active international collaboration, which greatly enhances its disaster response capabilities. On the other hand, Serbia, despite having a solid foundational framework, could improve by better […]

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Knowledge of children and youth about forest fires: Discrepancies between basic perception and reality

Cvetković, V. M., Roder, G., Öcal, A., Filipović, M., Janković, B., & Noji, E. (2018). Knowledge of children and youth about forest fires: Discrepancies between basic perception and reality. Vojno delo, 70(1), 171-185. https://doi.org/10.5937/vojdelo1801171C KNOWLEDGE OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH ABOUT FOREST FIRES: DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN BASIC PERCEPTION AND REALITY Vladimir M. Cvetković University of Belgrade, Faculty of Security Studies Giulia Roder University of Padova, Department of Land, Environment, Agriculture and Forestry Adem Öcal Gazi University, Faculty of Education, Ankara, Turkey Marina Filipović University of Belgrade, Faculty of Security Studies Bojan Janković The Academy of Criminalistic and Police Studies, Belgrade, Serbia Eric Noji King Saud University, College of Medicine and University Hospitals,   Riyadh City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Forests have a vital role for all living things. Children understanding of forest phenomena is the important knowledge for various sectors such as educators, policymakers, environmentalists, etc. This paper deals with the factors that affect knowledge and perception of forest fires of stu- dents, aged 10 to 19, in the city of Belgrade. The research was conducted between October 20th, 2013 and February 3rd, 2014. The authors have used a method of surveying students in order to identify and describe the factors affecting their knowledge about forest fires. A total of 3,548 students from 18 schools in Belgrade participated in the survey. The results of the research show that there is a discrepancy between perception and reality that is what students think they know and what they actually know in very basic terms. This set of findings in combination with other findings of moderators repli- cates previous research on the need for educational programs to ensure there is a match between youth confidence about what they know of hazards and their actual knowledge levels. Mismatches between the two could have serious consequences in disaster risk reduction terms. Given basic knowl- edge gaps here, […]

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Ispitivanje uloge porodice u edukaciji dece o prirodnim katastrofama

Cvetković, V. M., & Filipović, M. (2018). Ispitivanje uloge porodice u edukaciji dece o prirodnim katastrofama [Examining the role of family in educating children about natural disasters]. Nauka, bezbednost, policija, 23(1), 71–85. UDK: 37.018.1:504 doi:10.5937/nabepo23-14742 ISPITIVANJE ULOGE PORODICE U EDUKACIJI DECE O PRIRODNIM KATASTROFAMA Vladimir M. Cvetković1 Marina Filipović Fakultet bezbednosti Univerziteta u Beogradu Sažetak: Efikasno smanjenje rizika od prirodnih katastrofa mo- guće je sprovesti jedino kroz implementaciju integrisanog obrazo- vanja o prirodnim katastrofama u okviru porodice, škole i lokalne zajednice. Rukovodeći se time, predmet kvantitativnog istraživa- nja predstavlja ispitivanje stanja i faktora uticaja na edukaciju uče- nika o prirodnim katastrofama u okviru porodice. Pored toga, u radu se ispituje i nivo motivisanosti učenika za edukaciju u okviru porodice, ali i u okviru škole, kako bi se sveobuhvatnije sagledali njihovi stavovi u tom pogledu. U realizaciji istraživanja korišćen je višeetapni slučajni uzorak i u prvom koraku je korišćenjem li- ste svih osnovnih i srednjih škola u Beogradu na slučajan način odabrano njih 18. U drugom koraku, korišćenjem spiskova učio- nica u kojima se održava nastava, izabrane su učionice i anketirani učenici koji su prisustvovali nastavi. Sa procentom odgovora od 98%, anketirano je 3.548 učenika u izabranim osnovnim i sred- njim školama. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da je 70,7% učenika istaklo da je edukovano u okviru porodice, 57,4% bi želelo da bude edukovano o prirodnim katastrofama, 18% bi želelo da se edukuje u okviru porodice, a 51,9% u okviru škole. Inferencijalne statistič- ke analize pokazuju da na edukaciju u okviru porodice statistički značajno utiču pol, godine starosti, obrazovanje oca i majke, ra-   1 Autor za korespondenciju: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs. zred i prosek u školi. Naučni i društveni značaj istraživanja ogleda se u upostavljanju reprezentativne empirijske osnove koja može poslužiti donosiocima odluka prilikom uspostavljanja integrisa- nog sistema smanjenja rizika od katastrofa kroz obrazovanje. Ključne reči: bezbednost, katastrofe, edukacija, […]

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Household earthquake preparedness in Serbia: A study of selected municipalities

Cvetković, V. M., Ronan, K., Shaw, R., Filipović, M., Mano, R., Gačić, J., & Jakovljević, V. (2019). Household earthquake preparedness in Serbia: A study of selected municipalities. Acta Geographica, 59(2), 28–42. DOI: https: /doi.org/10.3986/AGS.5445 UDC: 614.8:550.34(497.11) COBISS: 1.01 Household earthquake preparedness in Serbia: A study of selected municipalities ABSTRACT: This article presents the results of a qualitative study of household earthquake and community- level preparedness in Serbia and its relationship to various demographic factors. A series of 1,018 face-to-face interviews were conducted at the beginning of 2017 in eight Serbian municipalities. The results show that the population is generally unprepared, with low percentages of reported enhanced preparedness levels. In addition to presenting its findings, the study also considers future research directions, including using this study as a basis for more detailed research and to assist in facilitating community-led programs and strategies to increase earthquake safety. KEY WORDS: geography, natural hazards, earthquake, preparedness, household, survey, Serbia Pripravljenost gospodinjstev na potrese v Srbiji: Študija izbranih občin IZVLEČEK: V članku so predstavljeni rezultati kvalitativne študije pripravljenosti na potres v gospodinjstvih in na občinski ravni v Srbiji in njeni povezanosti različnimi demografskimi dejavniki. Članek temelji na 1018 intervjujih, ki so bili izvedeni na začetku leta 2017 v osmih srbskih občinah. Rezultati kažejo, da je prebivalstvo na splošno nepripravljeno, z nizkim deležem izboljšane ravni pripravljenosti. Poleg lastnih ugotovitev študija obravnava tudi prihodnje smeri raziskovanja, vključno z uporabo te študije kot temelja za podrobnejše raziskave in za pomoč pri programih, ki jih vodijo skupnosti, ter strategij za povečanje potresne varnosti. KLJUČNE BESEDE: geografija, naravne nesreče, potres, pripravljenost, gospodinjstvo, raziskovanje, Srbija Vladimir M. Cvetković, Marina Filipović, Jasmina Gačić, Vladimir Jakovljević University of Belgrade, Faculty of Security Studies vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs, fmarina@fb.bg.ac.rs, jgacic@sezampro.rs, vjakov@fb.bg.ac.rs Kevin Ronan Central Queensland University, Clinical Psychology School of Human, Health and Social Sciences k.ronan@cqu.edu.au Rajib Shaw Keio University, Graduate […]

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Geospatial and Temporal Patterns of Natural and Man-Made (Technological) Disasters (1900–2024): Insights from Different Socio-Economic and Demographic Perspectives

Cvetković, V. M., Renner, R., Aleksova, B., & Lukić, T. (2024). Geospatial and Temporal Patterns of Natural and Man-Made (Technological) Disasters (1900–2024): Insights from Different Socio-Economic and Demographic Perspectives. Applied Sciences, 14(18), 8129. Article Geospatial and Temporal Patterns of Natural and Man-Made (Technological) Disasters (1900–2024): Insights from Different Socio-Economic and Demographic Perspectives Vladimir M. Cvetkovic´ 1,2,3,*, Renate Renner 4, Bojana Aleksova 2,5 and Tin Lukic´ 2,6   Citation: Cvetkovic´, V.M.; Renner, R.; Aleksova, B.; Lukic´, T. Geospatial and Temporal Patterns of Natural and Man-Made (Technological) Disasters (1900–2024): Insights from Different Socio-Economic and Demographic Perspectives. Appl. Sci. 2024, 14, 8129. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14188129 Academic Editor: Wenjie Zhang Received: 12 August 2024 Revised: 8 September 2024 Accepted: 9 September 2024 Published: 10 September 2024   Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// 1 Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 2 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovic´a 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; bojana.aleksova@mk.maarifschools.org (B.A.); tin.lukic@dgt.uns.ac.rs (T.L.) 3 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovic´a 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 4 Safety and Disaster Studies, Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversitaet, 8700 Leoben, Austria; renate.renner@unileoben.ac.at 5 Maarif International School, Skopje Campus, Kiro Gligorov 5, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia 6 Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovic´a 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia * Correspondence: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs Abstract: This pioneering study explores the geospatial and temporal patterns of natural and human- induced disasters from 1900 to 2024, providing essential insights into their global distribution and impacts. Significant trends and disparities in disaster occurrences and their widespread consequences are revealed through the utilization of the comprehensive international EM-DAT database. The results showed a dramatic escalation […]

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Factors of Vulnerability and Resilience of Persons with Disabilities During Disasters: Challenges and Strategies for Inclusive Risk Reduction

Jevtić, M., Cvetković, V. M., Gačić, J., & Raonić, Z. (2025). Factors of Vulnerability and Resilience of Persons with Disabilities During Disasters: Challenges and Strategies for Inclusive Risk Reduction. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 7(1), 91–114. Factors of Vulnerability and Resilience of Persons with Disabilities During Disasters: Challenges and Strategies for Inclusive Risk Reduction Milica Jevtić1, Vladimir M. Cvetković 1,2,3,4*, Jasmina Gačić1,4, Zlatko Raonić3 1 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia, jevtic.milica98@gmail.com. 2 Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs; vladimir.cvetkovic@unileoben.ac.at (V.M.C); jasmina.gacic@fb.bg.ac.rs (J.G). 3 Safety and Disaster Studies, Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Technical University of Leoben, Austria; zlatko.raonic@unileoben.ac.at. 4 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia. * Correspondence: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs. Received: 5 January 2025; Revised: 10 April 2025; Accepted: 7 May 2025; Published: 30 June 2025.   abstract     keywords   Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are among the most at-risk groups during disaster situations due to various physical, sensory, cognitive, and systemic challenges that hinder their ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from crises. Although international legal frameworks emphasise their inclusion, people with disabilities (PWDs) often struggle to access essential resources, emergency assistance, and social protections during such events. This study examines both the vulnerabilities and strengths of people with disabilities (PWDs) in disaster risk management, highlighting the crit- ical need for inclusive policies, enhanced accessibility measures, and stronger community-based support systems. It reviews key international, European, and national legal instruments designed to protect the rights of people with disabilities (PWDs) in disaster contexts while identifying gaps in their implementation. Furthermore, the research examines the active role people with disabilities (PWDs) can play in disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery, advocating for their meaningful […]

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Exploring Students’ and Teachers’ Insights on School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Safety: A Case Study of Western Morava Basin

Cvetković, V. M., Nikolić, N., & Lukić, T. (2024). Exploring Students’ and Teachers’ Insights on School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Safety: A Case Study of Western Morava Basin, Serbia. Safety, 10(2), 50. Article Exploring Students’ and Teachers’ Insights on School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Safety: A Case Study of Western Morava Basin, Serbia Vladimir M. Cvetkovic´ 1,2,3,*, Neda Nikolic´ 4 and Tin Lukic´ 5 1 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 2 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovic´a 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 3 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovic´a 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 4 Faculty of Technical Science in Cacˇcak, University of Kragujevac, 32000 Cˇ acˇak, Serbia; neda.nikolic@ftn.kg.ac.rs 5 Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovic´a 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; tin.lukic@dgt.uns.ac.rs * Correspondence: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs   Citation: Cvetkovic´, V.M.; Nikolic´, N.; Lukic´, T. Exploring Students’ and Teachers’ Insights on School-Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Safety: A Case Study of Western Morava Basin, Serbia. Safety 2024, 10, 50. https://doi.org/10.3390/ safety10020050 Academic Editor: Raphael Grzebieta Received: 5 April 2024 Revised: 27 May 2024 Accepted: 30 May 2024 Published: 31 May 2024   Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). Abstract: Integrated disaster risk reduction in schools represents a key component of safety strategies within the educational sector of every country. The aim of this study is to comprehensively explore the impact of various demographic and socio-economic factors on the perceptions of students and teachers regarding disaster risk reduction and safety in schools. This study is distinguished by its extensive empirical approach, employing a multistage random sampling method to conduct 850 face-to-face interviews (650 with students and 200 with teachers) throughout 2023 in 10 […]

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Exploring environmental awareness, knowledge, and safety: A comparative study among students in Montenegro and North Macedonia

Cvetković, V. M., Sudar, S., Ivanov, A., Lukić, T., & Grozdanić, G. (2024). Exploring environmental awareness, knowledge, and safety: A comparative study among students in Montenegro and North Macedonia. Open Geosciences, 16(1), 20220669. Research Article Vladimir M. Cvetković*, Srna Sudar, Aleksandar Ivanov, Tin Lukić, and Goran Grozdanić Exploring environmental awareness, knowledge, and safety: A comparative study among students in Montenegro and North Macedonia https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2022-0669 received May 06, 2024; accepted June 14, 2024 Abstract: This comparative study aims to investigate envir- onmental awareness, knowledge, and safety among stu- dents in Montenegro and North Macedonia, considering the unique socio-cultural and environmental contexts of both countries. A mixed-methods approach involving sur- veys and interviews was employed to gather data from students in educational institutions across Montenegro and North Macedonia. The study assessed various factors, including students’ awareness of environmental issues, their perceived level of knowledge, and their attitudes towards safety measures. A comprehensive series of 400 face-to-face interviews was carried out, and these inter- views encompassed 200 students from Montenegro and an equal number from North Macedonia, taking place at two esteemed academic institutions: The University of Montenegro in Podgorica and The University of St. Clement of Ohrid, Bitola, Republic of North Macedonia. Our hypothetical conceptual fra- mework proposes that a combination of variables, including gender (H1), age (H2), year of study (H3), and rate of study (H4), significantly influences the attitudes of students from Montenegro and North Macedonia towards environmental  * Corresponding author: Vladimir M. Cvetković, Department of Disasters and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia; Scientific- Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia; International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040, Belgrade, Serbia, e-mail: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs Srna Sudar: Project Office, Rectorate, University of Montenegro, Cetinjska 2, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro, e-mail: srna@ucg.ac.me Aleksandar […]

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Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Search and Rescue Dogs in Finding Survivors During Disasters: The Case of Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia

Cvetković, V. M., & Miljković, N. (2024). Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Search and Rescue Dogs in Finding Survivors During Disasters: The Case of Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. 10. International European Congress on Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences, 26-28 July 2024, Amsterdam, Netherlands, pp. 1237-1253. ISBN: 978-625-367-799-2 EVALUATION OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS IN FINDING SURVIVORS DURING DISASTERS: THE CASE OF SERBIA, CROATIA, AND SLOVENIA Vladimir M. Cvetković 1,2,3*, Nemanja Miljković2 1Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs 2Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; 3International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia. ABSTRACT Disasters, whether natural or human-induced, pose significant threats to human lives, property, and infrastructure. This study examines the effectiveness of search and rescue (SAR) dogs in locating survivors during disasters, with a focus on the experiences in Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia. The primary goals are to evaluate training protocols, operational challenges, success rates, and the overall impact of SAR dogs in disaster scenarios. The findings indicate that SAR dogs greatly enhance the efficiency of disaster response operations. Their superior sense of smell, agility, and ability to manoeuvre through complex terrains make them crucial for quickly locating survivors. However, the performance of SAR dogs is affected by various factors, including the quality of their training, environmental conditions, and the coordination between handlers and dogs. The research highlights several challenges encountered by SAR dogs, such as extreme weather conditions, hazardous terrains, fatigue, and psychological stress. Additionally, limited resources and inconsistent training standards can hinder their effectiveness. The study underscores the importance of standardized training protocols, increased resource allocation, and better coordination among SAR teams. By addressing these challenges, the efficiency of SAR dogs can be further […]

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Dealing with High-Risk Police Activities and Enhancing Safety and Resilience: Qualitative Insights into Austrian Police Operations from a Risk and Group Dynamic Perspective

Renner, R., Cvetković, V. M., & Lieftenegger, N. (2025). Dealing with High-Risk Police Activities and Enhancing Safety and Resilience: Qualitative Insights into Austrian Police Operations from a Risk and Group Dynamic Perspective. Safety, 11(3), 68. Article Dealing with High-Risk Police Activities and Enhancing Safety and Resilience: Qualitative Insights into Austrian Police Operations from a Risk and Group Dynamic Perspective Renate Renner 1,*, Vladimir M. Cvetkovic´ 1,2,3 and Nicola Lieftenegger 4 1 Safety and Disaster Studies, Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Technical University of Leoben, 8700 Leoben, Austria; vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs or vladimir.cvetkovic@unileoben.ac.at 2 Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucˇic´a 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 3 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovic´a 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 4 Police Academy, Regional Police Directorate, 9201 Krumpendorf am Wörthersee, Austria; nlieftenegger@gmx.at * Correspondence: renate.renner@unileoben.ac.at   Academic Editor: Raphael Grzebieta Received: 21 February 2025 Revised: 11 July 2025 Accepted: 14 July 2025 Published: 18 July 2025 Citation: Renner, R.; Cvetkovic´, V.M.; Lieftenegger, N. Dealing with High-Risk Police Activities and Enhancing Safety and Resilience: Qualitative Insights into Austrian Police Operations from a Risk and Group Dynamic Perspective. Safety 2025, 11, 68. https://doi.org/10.3390/ safety11030068 Copyright: © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by/4.0/). Abstract Special police units like Austria’s EKO Cobra are uniquely trained to manage high-risk operations, including terrorism, amok situations, and hostage crises. This study explores how group dynamics contribute to operational safety and resilience, emphasising the inter- connection between risk perception, training, and operational practices. Interviews with current and former EKO Cobra members reveal key risk factors, including overconfidence, insufficient training, inadequate equipment, and the challenges of high-stakes scenarios. Using a structured yet thematically flexible interview analysis approach, the study adopts group […]

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Comprehensive risk analysis of emergency medical response systems in Serbian healthcare: Assessing systemic vulnerabilities in disaster preparedness and response

Cvetković, V. M., Tanasić, J., Renner, R., Rokvić, V., & Beriša, H. (2024). Comprehensive risk analysis of emergency medical response systems in Serbian healthcare: Assessing systemic vulnerabilities in disaster preparedness and response. Healthcare, 12(19), 1962. Article Comprehensive Risk Analysis of Emergency Medical Response Systems in Serbian Healthcare: Assessing Systemic Vulnerabilities in Disaster Preparedness and Response Vladimir M. Cvetkovic´ 1,2,3,4,*, Jasmina Tanasic´ 5, Renate Renner 4, Vanja Rokvic´ 1 and Hatiža Beriša 6 1 Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucˇic´a 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; vanjarokvic@fb.bg.ac.rs 2 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovic´a 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 3 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovic´a 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 4 Safety and Disaster Studies, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversität of Leoben, Franz Josef-Straße 18, 8700 Leoben, Austria; renate.renner@unileoben.ac.at 5 Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, Makedonska 22/VIII, 11103 Belgrade, Serbia; jasmina.tanasic@skgo.org 6 Military Academy, University of Defence, Veljka Lukic´a Kurjaka, 11042 Belgrade, Serbia; hatidza.berisa@mod.gov.rs * Correspondence: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs or vladimir.cvetkovic@unileoben.ac.at   Citation: Cvetkovic´, V.M.; Tanasic´, J.; Renner, R.; Rokvic´, V.; Beriša, H. Comprehensive Risk Analysis of Emergency Medical Response Systems in Serbian Healthcare: Assessing Systemic Vulnerabilities in Disaster Preparedness and Response. Healthcare 2024, 12, 1962. https:// doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12191962 Academic Editor: Krzysztof Goniewicz Received: 23 August 2024 Revised: 27 September 2024 Accepted: 29 September 2024 Published: 1 October 2024   Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). Abstract: Background/Objectives: Emergency Medical Response Systems (EMRSs) play a vital role in delivering medical aid during natural and man-made disasters. This quantitative research delves into the analysis of risk and effectiveness within Serbia’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS), with a special emphasis on how work organization, resource distribution, and preparedness for mass casualty events contribute to overall disaster […]

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Comparative Analysis of Disaster Risk Management Policies in the Region of South-East Europe

Cvetković, V. M., & Todorović, S. (2019). Comparative Analysis of Disaster Risk Management Policies in the Region of South-East Europe. International Yearbook, Faculty of Security, (1), 7–18. https://doi.org/10.20544/IYFS.39.1.19.P01 UDK: 005.52:614.8(4-12) 005.52:005.334(4-12) DOI: 10.20544/IYFS.39.1.19.P01 COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT POLICIES IN THE REGION OF SOUTH-EAST EUROPE Vladimir M. Cvetković University of Belgrade, Faculty of Security vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs Saša Todorović Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Belgrade ABSTRACT Using measures for sustainable development and reducing the risk of disasters in order to protect the population, goods and the environment is the duty of every state in the fight against security challenges that disasters bring. Disaster risk reduction is a multidisciplinary policy designed to implement various measures to strengthen community resilience and preparedness for disasters. The region of Southeast Europe is recognized as extremely endangered by natural disasters. The countries of the region, especially their national risk management policies, continue to be based in part on solutions from earlier times. The subject of the research is focused on the analysis of disaster risk management policies in the countries of Southeast Europe, their comparison and review of similarities and differences. The countries of this region base their policies on similar solutions aimed at reducing the risk of disasters. There are shortcomings in the full implementation of the adopted international frameworks in the national risk management policies and normative-legal frameworks in certain countries of this region. Keywords: politics, risks, emergencies, disasters, Southeast Europe. INTRODUCTION People are constantly under the influence of dangers of natural and technological origin, therefore it is important for people to understand them. The consequences of disasters that grew over time, formed visions of disasters that existed in the early period of social development, as well as religious beliefs and rituals which at that time represented some of the ways to deal with catastrophes and […]

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Challenges and Obstacles in the Use of Search and Rescue Dogs During Disaster Operations: A Case Study of the Earthquake in Turkey

Cvetković, V. M., & Miljković, N. (2024). Challenges and Obstacles in the Use of Search and Rescue Dogs During Disaster Operations: A Case Study of the Earthquake in Turkey. 6th International Congress on Scientific Research and invite you to this meeting on July 24-26, 2024, by IKSAD Institute, pp. 957-968. 24-26 July 2024 Ankara Türkiye 6. BASKENT INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDIES PROCEEDINGS BOOK   EDITED BY DR. ETHEM İLHAN ŞAHİN DR. ALINA AMANZHOLOVA ISBN – 978-625-367-795-4 CHALLENGES AND OBSTACLES IN THE USE OF SEARCH AND RESCUE DOGS DURING DISASTER OPERATIONS: A CASE STUDY OF THE EARTHQUAKE IN TURKEY   Vladimir M. Cvetković 1,2,3*, Nemanja Miljković2 1Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security Studies, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs 2Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia; 3International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia. ABSTRACT Deploying search and rescue (SAR) dogs in disaster situations is crucial for effective rescue missions. This study delves into the challenges and obstacles encountered during the use of SAR dogs, particularly focusing on the earthquake that hit Turkey in February 2023. By employing a case study approach, the research explores various factors that impact the efficiency and safety of SAR dog operations, such as environmental conditions, equipment needs, cultural perceptions, and logistical hurdles. Environmental conditions such as extreme weather, hazardous materials, and unstable structures present significant risks to both the dogs and their handlers. The adequacy of equipment, including protective gear and medical supplies, is critical for ensuring the safety and efficiency of rescue operations. Logistical challenges, including the transportation and care of dogs in disaster zones, further complicate their deployment. Cultural barriers also play a crucial role, as perceptions of dogs vary widely across different communities, potentially affecting […]

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Assessment of women’s vulnerability and their coping mechanism living in flood prone areas: A case study of Belkuchi Upazila, Sirajganj

Kutub, J. R., Cvetković, V. M., & Huq, S. (2017). Assessment of women’s vulnerability and their coping mechanism living in flood prone areas: A case study of Belkuchi Upazila, Sirajganj. Serbian Science Today, 2(1), 35–43. UDC   Друштвене науке / Humanities Оригиналан научни рад / Original scientific paper   Процена рањивости жена и механизми њиховог суочавања са последицама у областима изложеним поплавама: студија случаја Белкучи Упазила, Сирајгањ Assessment of women’s vulnerability and the mechanism of their coping with consequences in flood prone areas: a case study of Belkuchi Upazilla, Sirajganj   Јуел Рана Кутуб, предавач Колеџ Фаужарда Кадет Faujdarhat, Sitakundu, Chittagong 4616, Бангладеш juelrana63@yahoo.com   Владимир М. Цветковић, доцент Универзитет у Београду, Факултет безбедности Господара Вучића 50, 11000 Београд vladimirkpa@gmail.com   Шахназ Хук Хусаин, професор Универзитет у Даки, Одсек за географију и животну средину Registrar Building, Nilkhet Road 1000, Dhaka, Бангладеш   shuqhussain@gmail.com Juel Rana Kutub, Lecturer Faujdarhat Cadet College Faujdarhat, Sitakundu, Chittagong 4616, Bangladesh juelrana63@yahoo.com Vladimir M. Cvetković, Assistant Professor University of Belgrade, Faculty of Security Studies Gospodara Vučića 50, 11000 Beograd vladimirkpa@gmail.com Shahnaz Huq Hussain, Professor University of Dhaka, Department of Geography and Environment Registrar Building, Nilkhet Road 1000, Dhaka, Bangladesh shuqhussain@gmail.com Рад примљен: 16.12.2016. Paper received: 12/16/2016   Рад прихваћен: 18.1.2017. Paper accepted: 1/18/2017 Abstract Women are more vulnerable during disastrous situations compared to their male counterparts. It was noted in many studies that among all oth- er natural disasters, flood causes immense sufferings of women due to the low standard of living conditions and poor institutional arrangement in flood prone areas of Bangladesh. The geographical location and low elevation of land with numerous rivers make Bangladesh really vulnerable. The focus of this research is to explore women’s vulnerability at the community level and ways of coping with the consequences of floods. Both secondary and prima- ry data have been used […]

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Published papers
Prof. Dr. Vladimir M. Cvetković – Disaster Risk Management

The Role of Social Media in the Process of Informing the Public About Disaster Risks

Cvetkovic, V. M. ., Nikolic, A., & Ivanov, A. (2023). The role of social media in the process of informing the public about disaster risks. Journal of Liberty and International Affairs, 9(2), 104-119. https://doi.org/10.47305/JLIA2392121c. In SCOPUS – Q3 – Political science and International Relations. Research article The Role of Social Media in the Process of Informing the Public About Disaster Risks   Vladimir M. Cvetković, 1,2,3,*, Aleksandra Nikolić3 1 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vučića 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 2 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11056 Belgrade, Serbia; 3 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11056 Belgrade, Serbia Abstract: Social media informs the public about the most important events and conveys important information. Before, during and after disasters, social media are used to disseminate information about disasters and to collect data relevant to the implementation of preparedness, response and recovery activities and measures. Social networks are effective in disseminating information and warnings, as well as in educating the public. The subject of the research is examining the influence of demographic factors on the effectiveness of social media in informing the public about the risks of disasters. Using an online survey questionnaire, and according to the snowball principle, a survey of 247 respondents was conducted in 2022. The research results show no statistically significant relationship between the level of education of the respondents and the assessment of the effectiveness of social media reporting on disasters. The use of social media can improve communication between stakeholders in disaster management and facilitate coordination of efforts, fostering communication and allocation of resources. To effectively use social media in disaster management, decision-makers in the disaster management system must be aware of new technologies, their disadvantages and advantages, as well as ways in which data from social […]

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Prof. Dr. Vladimir M. Cvetković – Disaster Risk Management

Capacity Development of Local Self-Governments for Disaster Risk Management

Capacity Development of Local Self-Governments for Disaster Risk Management by Vladimir M. Cvetković 1,2,*, Jasmina Tanasić  3, Adem Ocal 4, Želimir Kešetović 1,Neda Nikolić  5 and Aleksandar Dragašević 5 1 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vučića 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 2Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 3Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, 11103 Belgrade, Serbia 4 Independent Researcher, Ankara 06500, Turkey 5 Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 32102 Čačak, Serbia * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10406; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910406 Submission received: 28 July 2021 / Revised: 15 September 2021 / Accepted: 16 September 2021 / Published: 2 October 2021 Downloadkeyboard_arrow_down Browse Figures Versions Notes   Abstract The objective of this research was to examine the capacity development of local self-governments in the field of disaster risk management (DRM). This quantitative research examines the degree of implementation of strategic, legislative, and institutional frameworks, as well as the capacity of local authorities to apply related policies through five analytical scopes: (1) degree of preparedness and legal framework; (2) financial framework; (3) policy aspects; (4) cooperation and partnership; (5) communication. The ability of municipalities and towns to respond to disasters was also analyzed and compared. In this paper, our initial hypothesis was that the effective implementation of the concept of DRM policy in towns of Serbia requires the continual strategic, tactical, and operational transformation of the public administration and public management system in order to strengthen the capacity of local self-governments for disaster prevention, preparation, response, and recovery. This multimethod research was conducted over the period of 2014–2017 and included the following two target groups: (a) heads of disaster sectors in local self-government units (mayor) and (b) employees of the DRM sector in local self-government units. The results of this research will enable decision makers to successfully respond to challenges and […]

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Prof. Dr. Vladimir M. Cvetković – Disaster Risk Management

Earthquake Risk Perception in Belgrade: Implications for Disaster Risk Management

Cvetković, V. M., & Planić, J. (2022). Earthquake risk perception in Belgrade: implications for disaster risk management. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 4(1), 69–88. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2022.4.1.5 Research article DOI: https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2022.4.1.5 EARTHQUAKE RISK PERCEPTION IN BELGRADE: IMPLICATIONS FOR DISASTER RISK MANAGEMENT Vladimir M. Cvetković, 1,2,3,*, Jelena Planić2,3 1 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vučića 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 2 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11056 Belgrade, Serbia; 3 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11056 Belgrade, Serbia. Correspondence: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs Received: 20 February 2022; Revised: 30 March; Accepted: 15 May 2022; Published: 30 June 2022 Abstract: This paper presents quantitative research results regarding the influence of demographic factors on the earthquake risk perception of the citizens of Belgrade. This research aims to determine how much the citizens of Belgrade are aware of the risk and prepared to react in the event of an earthquake. The relationship between gender, age, level of education, and facility ownership with risk perception was examined. T-test, One-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to examine the relationship between the variables and the earthquake risk perception. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire that was given and then collected online among 235 Belgrade respondents during September 2020. The questions were divided into three categories. The first part of the questionnaire consisted of general questions about the demographic characteristics of the respondents, then the questions that would determine the level of awareness of the respondents about earthquakes, and finally, the questions for determining the respondents’ preparedness. The results of the research show that women have a higher perception of risk. It has been proven that the youngest respondents from the age category of 18-30 have the lowest risk perception. The influence of education level in no case showed a statistically significant correlation with risk perception. Keywords: disasters, earthquake, risk perception, […]

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Prof. Dr. Vladimir M. Cvetković – Disaster Risk Management

Comparative Analysis of DRM Systems in Germany, Usa, Russia and China

Cvetković, V. M., Andrić, K., & Ivanov, A. (2023). Comparative Analysis of DRM Systems in Germany, USA, Russia and China. Security Dialogues, 14(2), 65-88. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DRM SYSTEMS IN GERMANY, USA, RUSSIA AND CHINA Vladimir M. Cvetković18 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade Katarina Andrić19 International Institute for Disaster Research Aleksandar Ivanov20 Faculty of Security – Skopje, University St. Kliment Ohridski Bitola Abstract: The uniqueness of each system stems from the fact that the risks of disasters are specific and that their presence and manifestation are not universal and the same for every country. Just as no country is the same in all other segments, their disaster risk systems are unequal. The paper describes the systems in four different countries, through observation and comparison of four areas of activity that are implemented in dealing with disasters. First of all, in the paper, the legal basis and institutional frameworks on which these systems rest in each of the countries were considered – starting from the international level and guidelines given at international conferences, to all by-laws and local disaster activity plans. It was considered how each of the states implements risk mitigation activities and how it increases preparedness for them. When the system recognizes risks, their probability and the frequency of their occurrence, activities are planned to prepare the country and every individual in it for a potentially unwanted event. Differences in the ways of mitigating risks and preparing all elements of the system and protected values for disasters are presented. The third element of action in the event of disasters concerns the response. In this segment, questions are raised regarding institutional solutions in the system, division of responsibilities, the priority of response and mobilization of resources at all levels. The last phase, the one that occurs after the disaster, and that […]

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Prof. Dr. Vladimir M. Cvetković – Disaster Risk Management Expert Vladimir M. Cvetković – Expertise in Disaster Risk Management and Security

Integrated Fire Disaster Risk Reduction: A Literature Review

UDC: 351:614.84(497.11) Review paper Diplomacy and Security Cvetković, V. M., Protić, D., & Stefanović, D. INTEGRATED FIRE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION: A LITERATURE REVIEW. Diplomatija I bezbednost, 37. Volume VI Number 2/2023. Page: 37-70. Vladimir M. Cvetković1 Darko Protić2 Dejan Stefanović3 INTEGRATED FIRE DISASTER RISK REDUCTION: A LITERATURE REVIEW Abstract All over the world, different types of fires do not cease to cause serious material and non-material consequences, forcing people and their institutions to design and implement various preventive (construction, mechanical, electrical, architec- tural, etc.) measures with the aim of mitigating the risk of such events. Using an integrated disaster risk reduction approach ensures a higher level of efficiency in mitigating the likelihood and consequences of future fires. The subject of the paper is a comprehensive analysis and description of various preventive fire protection measures, fire protection systems with reference to equipment, education programs in the field of fire protection and training of citizens, preparedness for response as well as tactical elements for effective response in disasters caused by fires. In order to carry out a review of the literature on the integrated reduction of the risk of disasters caused by fires, a historical and comparative method were used, as well as a content analysis method. The results of the literature review can be used to improve the reduction of the risk of disasters caused by fires in Serbia. Keywords: disasters, fires, risk reduction, mitigation, prevention, response, reaction, tactical elements.   1 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Security, Belgrade (Serbia); Scientific and Professional Society for Risk Management in Emergency Situations, Belgrade (Serbia); International Institute for Dis- aster Research, Belgrade; vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs. 2 RS Ministry of Internal Affairs, Belgrade (Serbia); Scientific and Professional Society for Risk Management in Emergency Situations, Belgrade (Serbia); proticd91@gmail.com. 3 Ministry of Internal Affairs, Belgrade (Serbia); Scientific and Professional Society for Risk Man- agement […]

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Prof. Dr. Vladimir M. Cvetković – Disaster Risk Management Expert Vladimir M. Cvetković – Expertise in Disaster Risk Management and Security

Landslide crisis management

УПРАВЉАЊЕ РИЗИЦИМА У КРИЗНИМ СИТУАЦИЈАМА ИЗАЗВАНИМ КЛИЗИШТЕМ Проф. др Слободан Миладиновић Доц. др Владимир М. Цветковић Проф. др Срђан Милашиновић   Miladinović, S., Cvetković, V. M., & Milašinović, S. (2018). Upravljanje rizicima u kriznim situacijama izazvanim klizištima. Kriminalističko-policijska akademija.   Рецензенти: Проф. др Слободан Марковић Проф. др Славољуб Драгићевић Проф. др Владимир Јаковљевић               Садржај   УВОД.. 8 КЛИЗИШТА.. 10 1.1. Појам клизања и клизишта. 11 1.2. Узроци клизања и настанак клизишта. 14 1.3. Снимање топографске површине и препознавање клизишта. 19 1.4. Механика клизања. 22 1.5. Динамика (фазе) клизања. 27 1.6. Елементи  и морфологија клизишта. 29 1.7. Зоне клизишта. 33 1.8.  Класификација клизишта. 34 1.8. Остала гравитациона кретања стенских маса низ косину. 39 1.8.1. Одроњавање. 40 1.8.2 Осипање (сипари) 42 1.8.3. Течење или тецишта. 44 ТОПОГРАФСКА ПОВРШИНА (ТЕРЕН), СРЕДИНА ЗА СТВАРАЊЕ КЛИЗИШТА.. 46 2.1. Површина литосфере, примарни чинилац за формирање клизишта  46 2.1.1. Геолошка грађа земљине коре. 48 2.1.1.1. Магматске стене. 51 2.1.1.1.1. Дубинске магматске стене. 53 Пегматит. 54 Aплит. 54 Сијенитпорфир. 54 Moнцонитпорфирити и диорити. 54 2.1.1.1.2. Вулканске (изливне) стене. 55 2.1.1.2. Метаморфне стене. 57 2.1.1.3. Седиментне стене. 60 2.1.2. Физичко-механичке и отпорно-деформабилне особине стена у доступном делу земљине  коре. 67 2.1.2.1. Физичке карактеристике стена. 68 2.1.2.1.1. Влажност. 74 2.1.2.2. Механичке карактеристике стена. 78 2.1.2.2.1 Отпорно-деформабилне карактеристике. 79 2.1.3. Врсте природних средина и њихов утицај на стабилност тла и појаву клизишта. 85 2.1.3.1. Алувијалне равни. 86 2.1.3.2. Естуарни терени (делте) 87 2.1.3.3. Пролувијални терени. 88 2.1.3.4. Лесни терени. 88 2.1.3.5. Терени од дина и бархана. 89 2.1.3.6. Глечерски терени. 90 2.1.3.7. Делувијални терени. 91 2.1.3.8. Eлувијални терени. 92 2.1.3.9. Колувијални терени. 92 2.1.3.10. Осулински терени. 94 2.1.3.11. Кречњачки (карстни) терени. 94 2.1.3.12. Терени састављени од чврсто везаних стена. 96 2.1.5. Природни агенси који неповољно утичу на стабилност терена  107 2.1.5.1. Утицај површинских вода […]

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Geospatial and Temporal Patterns of Natural and Man-Made (Technological) Disasters (1900–2024): Insights from Different Socio-Economic and Demographic Perspectives

Geospatial and Temporal Patterns of Natural and Man-Made (Technological) Disasters (1900–2024): Insights from Different Socio-Economic and Demographic Perspectives by Vladimir M. Cvetković 1,2,3,*,Renate Renner 4,Bojana Aleksova 2,5 and Tin Lukić 2,6 1Department of Disaster Management and Environmental Security, Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 2Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 3 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 4 Safety and Disaster Studies, Chair of Thermal Processing Technology, Department of Environmental and Energy Process Engineering, Montanuniversitaet, 8700 Leoben, Austria 5 Maarif International School, Skopje Campus, Kiro Gligorov 5, 1000 Skopje, North Macedonia 6 Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(18), 8129; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14188129 Submission received: 12 August 2024 / Revised: 8 September 2024 / Accepted: 9 September 2024 / Published: 10 September 2024 Downloadkeyboard_arrow_down Browse Figures Versions Notes Cvetković, V. M., Renner, R., Aleksova, B., & Lukić, T. (2024). Geospatial and Temporal Patterns of Natural and Man-Made (Technological) Disasters (1900–2024): Insights from Different Socio-Economic and Demographic Perspectives. Applied Sciences, 14(18), 8129. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14188129 Abstract This pioneering study explores the geospatial and temporal patterns of natural and human-induced disasters from 1900 to 2024, providing essential insights into their global distribution and impacts. Significant trends and disparities in disaster occurrences and their widespread consequences are revealed through the utilization of the comprehensive international EM-DAT database. The results showed a dramatic escalation in both natural and man-made (technological) disasters over the decades, with notable surges in the 1991–2000 and 2001–2010 periods. A total of 25,836 disasters were recorded worldwide, of which 69.41% were natural disasters (16,567) and 30.59% were man-made (technological) disasters (9269). The most significant increase in natural disasters occurred from 1961–1970, while man-made (technological) disasters surged substantially from […]

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Capacity Development of Local Self-Governments for Disaster Risk Management

Capacity Development of Local Self-Governments for Disaster Risk Management by Vladimir M. Cvetković  1,2,*, Jasmina Tanasić 3, Adem Ocal  4, Želimir Kešetović 1, Neda Nikolić 5 and Aleksandar Dragašević  5 1 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vučića 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 2 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 3 Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, 11103 Belgrade, Serbia 4 Independent Researcher, Ankara 06500, Turkey 5 Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, 32102 Čačak, Serbia * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10406; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910406 Submission received: 28 July 2021 / Revised: 15 September 2021 / Accepted: 16 September 2021 / Published: 2 October 2021 Downloadkeyboard_arrow_down Browse Figures Versions Notes Cvetković, V. M., Tanasić, J., Ocal, A., Kešetović, Ž., Nikolić, N., & Dragašević, A. (2021). Capacity Development of Local Self-Governments for Disaster Risk Management. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(19), 10406. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910406 Abstract The objective of this research was to examine the capacity development of local self-governments in the field of disaster risk management (DRM). This quantitative research examines the degree of implementation of strategic, legislative, and institutional frameworks, as well as the capacity of local authorities to apply related policies through five analytical scopes: (1) degree of preparedness and legal framework; (2) financial framework; (3) policy aspects; (4) cooperation and partnership; (5) communication. The ability of municipalities and towns to respond to disasters was also analyzed and compared. In this paper, our initial hypothesis was that the effective implementation of the concept of DRM policy in towns of Serbia requires the continual strategic, tactical, and operational transformation of the public administration and public management system in order to strengthen the capacity of local self-governments for disaster prevention, preparation, response, and recovery. This multimethod research was conducted over the period of 2014–2017 and included the following two target groups: (a) […]

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Understanding the Sustainable Development of Community (Social) Disaster Resilience in Serbia: Demographic and Socio-Economic Impacts

Understanding the Sustainable Development of Community (Social) Disaster Resilience in Serbia: Demographic and Socio-Economic Impacts by  Vladimir M. Cvetković  1,2,3,* and Vanja Šišović 2 1 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vucica 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 2 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 3 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2620; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072620 Submission received: 17 February 2024 / Revised: 4 March 2024 / Accepted: 15 March 2024 / Published: 22 March 2024 (This article belongs to the Special Issue Disaster Resilience and Sustainability of Structures and Infrastructures) Downloadkeyboard_arrow_down Browse Figures Versions Notes Cvetković, V. M., & Šišović, V. (2024). Understanding the Sustainable Development of Community (Social) Disaster Resilience in Serbia: Demographic and Socio-Economic Impacts. Sustainability, 16(7), 2620. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072620 Abstract This paper presents the results of quantitative research examining the impacts of demographic and socioeconomic factors on the sustainable development of community disaster resilience. The survey was carried out utilizing a questionnaire distributed to, and subsequently collected online from, 321 participants during January 2024. The study employed an adapted version of the ‘5S’ social resilience framework (62 indicators), encompassing five sub-dimensions—social structure, social capital, social mechanisms, social equity and diversity, and social belief. To explore the relationship between predictors and the sustainable development of community disaster resilience in Serbia, various statistical methods, such as t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and multivariate linear regression, were used. The results of the multivariate regressions across various community disaster resilience subscales indicate that age emerged as the most significant predictor for the social structure subscale. At the same time, education stood out as the primary predictor for the social capital subscale. Additionally, employment status proved to be the most influential predictor for both social mechanisms and social equity-diversity subscales, with property ownership being the key predictor […]

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Earthquake risk perception in Belgrade: implications for disaster risk management

Research article Earthquake risk perception in Belgrade: implications for disaster risk management Vladimir M. Cvetković, 1,2,3,*, Jelena Planić2,3 1 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vučića 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 2 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11056 Belgrade, Serbia; 3 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11056 Belgrade, Serbia. Received: 20 February 2022; Revised: 30 March; Accepted: 15 May 2022; Published: 30 June 2022 Abstract: This paper presents quantitative research results regarding the influence of demographic factors on the earthquake risk perception of the citizens of Belgrade. This research aims to determine how much the citizens of Belgrade are aware of the risk and prepared to react in the event of an earthquake. The relationship between gender, age, level of education, and facility ownership with risk perception was examined. T-test, One-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to examine the relationship between the variables and the earthquake risk perception. The survey was conducted using a questionnaire that was given and then collected online among 235 Belgrade respondents during September 2020. The questions were divided into three categories. The first part of the questionnaire was consisted of general questions about the demographic characteristics of the respondents, then the questions that would determine the level of awareness of the respondents about earthquakes, and finally, the questions for determining the respondents’ preparedness. The results of the research show that women have a higher perception of risk. It has been proven that the youngest respondents from the age category of 18-30 have the lowest risk perception. The influence of education level in no case showed a statistically significant correlation with risk perception. Keywords: disasters, earthquake, risk perception, management, preparedness. Cvetković, V. M., & Planić, J. (2022). Earthquake risk perception in Belgrade: implications for disaster risk […]

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Innovative solutions for flood risk management

Vladimir M. Cvetković, 1,2,3,*, Jovana Martinović2,3 1 Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, Gospodara Vučića 50, 11040 Belgrade, Serbia 2 International Institute for Disaster Research, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11056 Belgrade, Serbia; 3 Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management, Dimitrija Tucovića 121, 11056 Belgrade, Serbia, jovana.martinovic@upravljanje-rizicima.com.  * Correspondence: vmc@fb.bg.ac.rs; vladimirkpa@gmail.com. Received: 5 December 2020; Accepted: 25 December 2020; Published: 1 January 2021  Abstract: Starting from the importance of innovative solutions for improving the needs of different practitioners as flood risk managers, the purpose of this review was to describe analyse, evaluates, and prioritises the various available innovative solutions that have sufficient potential to be useful and used by practitioners. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using the DAREnet knowledge base (an integral feature of the DAREnet online community platform) which identified critical challenges for flood management and the relevant field or source of innovation, as well as the current scientific literature in the field of disaster studies. A fourth stage selection procedure identified candidate original or review papers and evaluated the degree to which papers met predetermined requirements for inclusion extracted from prior systematic reviews. Included in the study were over 100 studies that met the requirements for predetermined inclusion. The findings of this review showed that there is a huge untapped potential for innovative solutions in the field of prevention, preparedness, civil protection, communication, cooperation, etc. The findings of this review contribute to a growing body of knowledge regarding innovative solutions for flood risk management useful for practitioners. Keywords: disasters, floods, risk management, innovative solutions, review, DAREnet. Cvetkovic, V. M., & Martinović, J. (2021). Innovative solutions for flood risk management. International Journal of Disaster Risk Management, 2(2), 71–100. https://doi.org/10.18485/ijdrm.2020.2.2.5 Introduction In disaster studies, there are different definitions of disaster risk management: a) discipline and profession that applies science, technology, planning and […]

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