Civil Protection Volunteers: Steps of Change towards an Inclusive Future
Civil Protection volunteering is constantly evolving to meet the growing challenges of modern society. A virtuous example of this evolution is the project “VolontariE di Protezione Civile – Passi di Cambiamento”, launched in 2023, which will culminate on September 14th 2024, in a presentation event at the “Spazio Arte” in Sesto San Giovanni. The project, which is part of the Coordinamento del Volontariato di Protezione Civile della Città Metropolitana di Milano (Civil Protection Volunteers Coordination of the Metropolitan City of Milan), has as its primary objective enhancing the role of women volunteers by offering them more space for action and active participation within Civil Protection structures.
A New Path to Inclusion
The project was born out of a felt need to integrate the volunteers and their skills further, pursuing an intergenerational model that facilitates knowledge transfer between different age groups. During training sessions in November 2023, the volunteers had the opportunity to discuss crucial topics such as emergency management, including people with disabilities and the technical-operational organisation of Civil Protection. This allowed them to develop new operational proposals to bring concrete change within the volunteer world and the community.
Proposed Projects
The programme includes four main projects, which can be implemented in the medium and long term:
- Meeting Points: The project aims to bring Civil Protection directly to citizens through information meetings in their communities. It aims to involve local associations, libraries, and social centres, promoting a culture of prevention and safety.
- Potentially: This project offers psychological support to volunteers working in emergency contexts, providing tools to manage emotional stress before, during and after interventions. Training and emotional decompression meetings with experts are planned.
- Passing the Witness: an intergenerational initiative to pass on the experience and skills of experienced volunteers to the younger generations. Students from all levels will be involved in a mentoring process to spread the culture of prevention within school communities.
- Hackathon and Civil Protection: An event involving young volunteers and university students in a collaborative project focused on hydrogeological risk management in the Milan metropolitan area. This competition will stimulate the synergy between academic and operational skills.
The Role of Women: Leadership Testimonies
A vital aspect of this project is the presence of prominent female figures who hold positions of responsibility within the Civil Protection Department. They include personalities such as Titti Postiglione, Deputy Head of the Civil Protection Department, Alessia Manfredini, an environmental engineer and official at the Lombardy Region, and Cristina Specia, one of Italy’s few female Canadair pilots. Their stories of dedication and success represent a source of inspiration for new generations of female volunteers. Dr. Giulia Fagà, head of communication and training activities at Fondazione Eucentre, was among the speakers.
An Inclusive Future for Civil Protection Volunteering
This project represents an important step towards a more inclusive and innovative Civil Protection, where intergenerational collaboration and the valorisation of diversity are at the heart of change. The active participation of volunteers not only enriches the fabric of volunteering but brings with it new energy and ideas that will be crucial in tackling future challenges. The involvement of the younger generations through projects such as the Hackathon and the Passing of the Witness ensures that the Civil Protection world continues to grow and evolve, responding effectively to the needs of contemporary society.
September 14th 2024, will be an essential day for the ‘VolontariE di Protezione Civile project and the entire volunteer system of the Metropolitan City of Milan. It will be an opportunity to celebrate the progress made, share innovative ideas that have emerged, and chart new paths for the future. This change starts with volunteering and can make a difference in everyone’s life.
To stay updated on the activities of the Milan Metropolitan City Civil Protection Volunteer Coordination Committee: