Civil Protection

Tecnica Formazione Sicurezza provides services for the preparation, drafting and updating of both Provincial Civil Protection Plans โ€” for the forecasting, organisation and management of provincial-level emergencies โ€” and Municipal Civil Protection Plans, involving all municipal bodies active in the event of a territorial emergency.

Tecnica Formazione Sicurezza is also able to define and draft Specific Operational Plans covering the following risk scenarios:

  • hydrogeological risk
  • seismic risk
  • urban fire risk (historic town centres)
  • wildfire risk
  • nuclear risk
  • industrial chemical risk
  • traffic and road network risk
  • heavy snowfall risk
  • water supply emergency risk (drinking water)
  • risks arising from large-scale socio-cultural events
  • terrorist attack risk

Training

ICE & FIRE s.r.l. offers specialist training programmes in Civil Protection: from foundation courses for volunteers to squad leader and coordination techniques, from emergency base camp set-up and logistics to search and rescue in rubble under seismic risk scenarios, from radio communications and GPS mapping to training for school monitors, public employees and local administrators.

Foundation Training

CourseDurationTarget Audience
BA PC01 โ€” Introduction to the Civil Protection System8 hoursNewly enrolled volunteers
Civil Protection Foundation20 hoursCivil Protection volunteers
Civil Protection Foundation โ€” Renewal28 hoursVolunteers due for triennial update
Civil Protection Foundation40 hoursCivil Protection volunteers (full programme)
BA PC 0107012 โ€” Civil Protection Awareness12 hoursOperators and volunteers

The foundation programmes provide volunteers with knowledge of the national, regional and local Civil Protection system, including forecasting and prevention activities, risk scenarios, correct behaviour in emergencies and operational responsibilities. The introductory module (8 hours) is the entry point for new recruits; the 20- and 40-hour programmes develop progressively deeper content covering organisation, volunteer safety and intervention procedures; the renewal module (28 hours) updates competencies on a triennial basis as required by regional regulations.

Safety in Civil Protection Activities

CourseDurationContent
CP Safety โ€” Awareness4 hoursRisks in CP activities, PPE, core legislation
CP Safety โ€” Foundation12 hoursRisk assessment, PPE, safe operational procedures
CP Safety โ€” Advanced Foundation16 hoursScenario-specific risks, safety documentation
CP Safety โ€” Comprehensive20 hoursIntegrated safety across all CP operational scenarios

The safety courses for Civil Protection activities equip operators with the competencies to act safely in every intervention scenario, in compliance with Italian Legislative Decree 81/2008 (Consolidated Occupational Safety Act) and the operational procedures of the Civil Protection system. The awareness programme (4 hours) is aimed at occasional operators; the 12-, 16- and 20-hour modules progressively deepen risk assessment, correct use of personal protective equipment, safety documentation and specific procedures for different operational scenarios.

Squad Leader and Command Techniques

CourseDurationTarget Audience
Squad Leader Command โ€” Multi-Agency20 hoursSquad leaders with multi-agency interface
Squad Leader Command โ€” Advanced CP40 hoursCivil Protection squad leaders
Squad Leader Command โ€” Hydrogeological Risk20 hoursSquad leaders in hydrogeological scenarios
CP Volunteer Squad Leader โ€” Veneto Region34 hoursCP volunteers, Veneto Region (code 02)
CP Association Managers โ€” Veneto Region16 hoursAssociation managers (code 03)
AIB Squad Leader โ€” Civil Protection40 hoursWildfire Suppression squad leaders
Command Techniques โ€” Foundation20 hoursCoordinators and operational leads
Command Techniques โ€” Advanced20 hoursSenior coordinators (NATO method, virtual reality)

The squad leader and command techniques programmes train the first-line coordination figures of operational teams. The Multi-Agency course (20 hours) develops competencies for interfacing with external agencies and organisations. The Advanced CP course (40 hours) covers the national Civil Protection system, a culture of self-protection, leadership and post-emergency recovery. The Veneto Region squad leader programme (34 hours) conforms to regional directives. The Command Techniques courses (20 hours each) build managerial skills: the advanced level uses virtual reality scenarios with the NATO method and XVR software. The Association Managers course covers the legal, administrative and financial aspects of managing a volunteer group.

Emergency Coordination and Planning

CourseDurationTarget Audience
CP Operations Coordination โ€” Foundation22 hoursCoordinators
CP Operations Coordination โ€” Advanced40 hoursSenior coordinators
CP District Coordinators and Deputy Coordinators40 hoursDistrict coordinators
CP Group Coordinators and Deputy Coordinators40 hoursGroup coordinators
CP Group Coordinators32 hoursVolunteer group coordinators
Civil Protection Plans โ€” Drafting24 hoursMunicipal technicians and officials
Civil Protection Plans โ€” Review and Validation16 hoursMunicipal technicians and officials
Municipal Operations Centre Procedures24 hoursMunicipal employees
Emergency Logistics24 hoursLogistics officers

The coordination and planning programmes prepare strategic emergency management figures. The foundation and advanced coordinator courses (22 and 40 hours) develop operational, planning and team communications competencies across disaster scenarios. The District Coordinator programmes (40 hours) include the design of exercises at supra-municipal level, briefing and debriefing, and system efficiency review. The courses on drafting and validating Civil Protection Plans (24 and 16 hours) train technical staff in structuring the municipal emergency plan โ€” objectives, resource inventory, intervention model โ€” and in validating it through simulation at the Municipal Operations Centre (COC).

Base Camp and Logistics

CourseDurationContent
Base Camp โ€” Awareness Set-Up12 hoursCamp concept, site selection, risks, technical data sheets
Base Camp โ€” Set-Up and Operations20 hoursTypes, services, layout, safety, fire prevention
Base Camp โ€” Camp Manager16 hoursResource management, leadership, privacy, community relations
Base Camp โ€” Head of Camp Role40 hoursLogistics organisation, personnel management, safety
Base Camp โ€” Electrical Installation16 hoursInstallation design, generators, safety measures
Base Camp โ€” Catering and HACCP16 hoursField kitchen, food safety, HACCP controls
Base Camp โ€” Cooking and Emergency Menus16 hoursMenu planning, provisions, meal preparation for responders
Base Camp โ€” Warehouse Management16 hoursInventory, procurement, management methodologies
Base Camp โ€” Rapid Response Structure20 hoursMovement control, communications systems, register
Mobile Column โ€” Organisation and Operations20 hoursStructure, vehicles, transfers, storage, warehouses

The base camp and logistics courses train all roles involved in managing a camp facility during a prolonged emergency. The awareness module (12 hours) introduces the basic concepts and risks; the set-up course (20 hours) covers types of camp, services and safety/fire prevention regulations. Specialist programmes cover the roles of Camp Manager and Head of Camp for human resources management, field catering and emergency food supply with adherence to HACCP protocols, electrical installation with generators, warehouse management and the internal rapid response structure. The Mobile Column course (20 hours) addresses transfer regulations (Highway Code Articles 163 and 177) and the organisation of storage containers.

Rubble Search and Seismic Risk

CourseDurationContent
Seismic Risk and Shoring Systems20 hoursCivil structures, PPE, power tools, site safety
Collapse โ€” Metal Cutting in Confined Sites20 hoursMetal structures, cutting/crushing risk, safe manoeuvres
Collapse โ€” Timber Cutting in Confined Sites16 hoursTimber cutting tools, PPE, manoeuvres in restricted spaces
Collapse โ€” Concrete Cutting in Confined Sites16 hoursCutting load-bearing structures, PPE, obstacle-crossing techniques
Collapse โ€” Shoring and Stabilisation20 hoursTimber and metal shores, anchoring, bracing
Collapse โ€” Levers and Hydraulic Jacks24 hoursStatics principles, levers, hydraulic power units, safe manoeuvres
Collapse โ€” Pneumatic Power Tools20 hoursPneumatic lifting and pulling equipment, site safety
Seismic Risk โ€” Geophone Search20 hoursSurvivor location techniques, geophones, fibre-optic cameras, excavation

The SPRS course series prepares operators for technical intervention at collapse and seismic event sites. The seismic risk and shoring course (20 hours) provides the foundations: construction types, building behaviour, and use of power tools. The confined-site cutting courses (metal, timber, concrete) train in the safe use of cutting equipment in confined spaces with a high risk of injury. The levers and hydraulic jacks course (24 hours) develops competencies for penetrating rubble while minimising movement and safeguarding potential survivors. The geophone search course (20 hours) is the most specialist: it teaches operators to locate buried survivors using geophones, fibre-optic cameras and directed excavation, with analysis of construction materials and consolidation techniques.

Radio Communications and Mapping

CourseDurationContent
Radio Use โ€” Foundation8 hoursCP network, equipment, technical language, maintenance
Radio Use โ€” Professional16 hoursAdvanced protocols, regional radio network, operations centre
Cartography and Topography8 hoursMap reading, georeferencing, topographic instruments, GPS
Cartography โ€” Orientation and GPS16 hoursTopographic maps, GPS, road books, off-road navigation

The foundation radio course (8 hours) covers the organisation and operation of the Civil Protection telecommunications network: equipment, repeaters, working channels, technical language and basic maintenance. The professional radio course (16 hours) deepens protocols for large-scale emergency operations, the structure of the regional radio network with fixed, vehicle-mounted and portable equipment, and the composition of operational messages. The cartography courses (8 and 16 hours) prepare operators to read topographic maps and navigate with GPS: the advanced module includes GPS-to-PC interfacing and off-road navigation using road books and compass, which is essential for reconnaissance in disaster scenarios.

School Monitors

CourseDurationTarget Audience
Primary School Monitors24 hoursVolunteers and CP staff for primary school settings
Lower Secondary School Monitors24 hoursTeachers and monitors for lower secondary schools
Lower and Upper Secondary School Monitors24 hoursTeachers and monitors for secondary schools
Monitors โ€” School Staff24 hoursTeaching staff in compulsory education
School Monitors โ€” Update8 hoursAlready-qualified monitors

The school monitor courses train volunteers and teaching staff who carry out civil protection education activities in schools. Shared content includes: first response organisation, age-appropriate risk education methodologies, risk assessment (forecasting, prevention, protection), natural and man-made risk scenarios, and child development principles for modules dedicated to primary schools. The programme is structured by school level โ€” from compulsory education to upper secondary โ€” with an update module (8 hours) for those who have already obtained the monitor qualification.

Public Employees and Administrators

CourseDurationTarget Audience
CP Public Administration Operators32 hoursPublic administration staff (foundation level)
CP Public Employees40 hoursPublic administration staff (full programme)
CP On-Call Technicians โ€” Public Administration32 hoursOn-call technicians from municipalities, mountain communities, regions
CP Administrators8 hoursLocal administrators and public administration managers

The courses for public employees and local administrators train institutional personnel in their role within the Civil Protection system. The public administration operators programme (32 hours) covers the regulatory framework, forecasting and prevention activities, emergency scenarios and procedures for activating municipal functions. The full programme for public employees (40 hours) also covers crisis communications management, media relations, communication planning and panic management. The on-call technicians course (32 hours) includes the national and regional regulatory framework, provincial and regional functions, and Standard Operating Procedures. The administrators module (8 hours) provides the essential content on local Civil Protection organisation, foreseeable types of emergency, and the system for controlling and managing operations.

Operational Stress Management

CourseDurationContent
Stress Management โ€” Foundation20 hoursStressors, fear, anxiety, panic, relaxation techniques, dynamic breathing
Stress Management โ€” Advanced40 hoursStress simulator, planetarium, thermotherapy, high-impact emergencies

The stress management courses are designed for Civil Protection operators exposed to high-impact emergency situations. Both programmes alternate theoretical modules (2 hours) with practical sessions in a dynamic laboratory (2 hours). The foundation course (20 hours) analyses the causes of stress, the definitions of fear, anxiety and panic, perception phenomena, and introduces relaxation and dynamic breathing techniques applied to emergency work. The advanced course (40 hours) adds stress-resistance techniques using a simulator and planetarium, thermotherapy and models applied to high-impact emergencies, ensuring maximum operational reliability of personnel in extreme conditions.

Specialisations: Search Dogs, Water Rescue and Traffic Management

CourseDurationTarget Audience
Search Dog Units โ€” Advanced Surface Search Handler8 hoursCP search dog unit handlers
Search Dog Units โ€” Mantrailing and Surface Search Stage16 hoursCP search dog unit handlers
Water Rescue โ€” Level I (Self-Protection)8 hoursCP operators in flood scenarios
Water Rescue โ€” Level II (Hypothermia and Knots)8 hoursCP operators in flood scenarios
Water Rescue โ€” Level III (Advanced Flood Response)8 hoursAdvanced CP operators
Motorised Watercraft Operators8 hoursCP operators with watercraft
Water Rescue โ€” Watercraft Operators24 hoursCP operators for water rescue
Traffic Management โ€” Traffic Risk12 hoursCP operators in road and rail scenarios
Fire Emergencies at Road Traffic Accidents20 hoursCP operators at road traffic accidents
Media Relations โ€” Emergency Management8 hoursPress officers and CP managers

The search dog programmes (8 and 16 hours) provide advanced training for surface search and Mantrailing units: handlerโ€“dog relationship, physical workload management, operations in difficult terrain and reporting of areas covered. The water rescue courses (three levels of 8 hours each) cover self-protection in flood environments, hypothermia and water knots, through to advanced techniques for operators in swift water; the watercraft courses (8 and 24 hours) add skills in operating motor vessels, sounding techniques, casualty recovery manoeuvres and vessel maintenance. The traffic management course (12 hours) trains operators to handle road, rail and fluvial scenarios; the fire module at road traffic accidents (20 hours) includes the chemistry of fire and practical extinguishing exercises on vehicles. The media relations course (8 hours) prepares press officers to manage relations with journalists during emergencies: interviews, press releases, press conferences and crisis communications.

Emergency Manager (DI.MA.)

CourseDurationTarget Audience
Emergency Manager โ€” DI.MA.350 hoursCivil Protection Emergency Management professionals

The Emergency Manager course (350 hours) is the advanced training programme for professionals in Civil Protection Emergency Management. It develops the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to manage forecasting, prevention and crisis resolution programmes. Content includes: the organisation and legislative framework of the national Civil Protection system, the European emergency response framework with ERCC (Emergency Response Coordination Centre) and CECIS tools, the international ICS (Incident Command System) response framework, risk management and crisis management, management of standard and specialist rescue operations, and the use of emergency activity management software. The programme includes a practical assessment applied to real-world scenarios.

Regulatory References

  • Italian Legislative Decree No. 1 of 2 January 2018 โ€” Civil Protection Code
  • Italian Legislative Decree No. 117 of 3 July 2017 โ€” Third Sector Code (voluntary organisations)
  • Italian Legislative Decree No. 81 of 9 April 2008 and subsequent amendments โ€” Consolidated Occupational Safety Act
  • Ministerial Decree No. 388 of 15 July 2003 โ€” Regulations on workplace first aid

For information on courses, availability and quotations, please contact ICE & FIRE s.r.l.