INSARAG AEME Regional Meeting 2019, and International Workshop on large USAR activities, Palermo, Italy

Dear INSARAG Focal points and members,

On behalf of the Italian Department of Civil Protection and National Fire and Rescue Service, the INSARAG Secretariat is pleased to invite you to the INSARAG Africa – Europe – Middle East (AEME) Regional Meeting, which will be held in Poggioreale and Palermo, Italy, from 24 to 25 October 2019.

Regional Meetings are a gathering of international USAR policymakers, team leaders, and governmental representatives, among others to exchange information about technical and political USAR issues in the INSARAG context. The participants will discuss best practices and possible improvements in areas of interest. The primary participants in these meetings are expected to be the INSARAG Focal points and Heads of Departments in National Governments who are responsible for disaster management. The provisional agenda of the Regional Meeting and the Hotel Reservation Form will be shared shortly.

Please note the Italian Government will organize an international workshop on 23 October in Palermo regarding large USAR activities based on the recent experience of collapse of Morandi Bridge in Genoa. The workshop will be a unique opportunity to share and compare experience from previous large USAR activities around the world and the event will be supported by the INSARAG Secretariat. Two different links for registration will be made available in the Virtual OSOCC on 15 August, including the administrative note and registration form for the hotel.

Regional Meeting participants are requested to either arrive on 23 October, or on 22 October in the event they wish to also participate in the international workshop held on 23 October, or to organize their travel arrangements in order to be in Palermo, Italy, before the start of the meeting. Please note that participants must cover their own costs of participation in this meeting, including the costs of travel to and from Italy.

Please note that participants are responsible to obtain their visas to enter Italy. It is strongly recommended that delegates consult the respective Italian Embassies in their home country to inquire about the details of visa arrangements. To apply for an Italian visa, the applicant must have a valid passport for at least six (6) months prior to the date of entry.

We are looking forward to the meeting.