Abstract:

Greece is one of the most earthquake-prone countries globally. Earthquakes have caused, and can cause future human, material, economic and environmental losses and impacts.
Attica is an administrative region of Greece that encompasses the city of Athens, the capital of the country and its countryside. Attica is exposed to natural hazards, particularly earthquakes. Their effects can be immediate and localized, but sometimes are widespread.
To develop and enhance resilience, Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization (EPPO), that is a Hellenic governmental organization, provides procedures, actions and tools on seismic risk reduction issues. Education is EPPO’s top priority because has a vital role to play in preparing communities and authorities for earthquakes and building disaster resilient societies and safe lives.

“Earthquake, Fire, and Flood Risk Assessment in the Attica Region” is an innovative project that is funded by Attica Region. The project’s partners are the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment) and the National Observatory of Athens. EPPO is responsible to implement educational actions to improve familiarization, information and preparedness around natural disasters in different target groups in the specific area.

This paper presents a holistic brief overview of the EPPO’s earthquake awareness-raising and training activities in Attica Region. The abovementioned EPPO’s educational initiative has structured into two main parts. The first one is aiming to prepare Attica authorities to face hazards, to ensure that all stakeholders have a common understanding on seismic risk reduction and to build system resilience. The second one is aiming to help the citizens to develop and maintain a culture of safety. It is well known that being prepared the staff and the population will improve their ability to respond effectively in case of earthquake, but this requires efforts from both the communities, the local authorities and the government.

Workshops, seminars and drills have been implemented in Prefectures and Municipalities of Attica Region to empower public services and local communities to improve their planning and their ability to cope with and withstand the effects of earthquakes through a collaborative approach. Also, educational material on disaster risk issues have been developed tailored to fit in the needs of the staff and population of Attica Region to reduce their vulnerability.
EPPO’s efforts in the Attica Region is an ongoing challenge to build the effective management of seismic risk, by suggesting the utilization of public servants’ preparedness and community awareness.

Keywords:

Attica Region, earthquake, emergency planning, education, educational material, disaster, preparedness, seismic risk, seminars.