FS Group and Civil Defence: new Memorandum of Understanding for emergency management

Strengthening cooperation in the management of emergencies and the prevention of risks related to rail, road and maritime mobility. This is the main objective of the new Memorandum of Understanding between the Civil Protection Department and the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Group.

The agreement, signed by the Head of the Civil Protection Department, Fabio Ciciliano, and the CEO and General Manager of the Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane Group, Stefano Antonio Donnarumma, aims to consolidate the synergies between the two institutions to ensure a timely and effective response in the event of disasters, critical rail, road and maritime situations or civil protection emergencies.

The agreement will last five years and includes the possibility of an extension for an additional year. Through the constant exchange of information and sharing of best practices, the Civil Protection Department and the FS Group are confirmed as strategic partners in safety protection and emergency management at national level.

"The well-established cooperation relationship between the Civil Defence and the State Railways is now even stronger thanks to the new Memorandum of Understanding. Coordination and established procedures are essential tools in emergencies. The same applies to cooperation in the field of prevention and training, aimed in particular at activities for joint exercises, which play a decisive role. With today's agreement, we are bringing together even more competences and institutions to give the public the best possible response in the event of an emergency,” said Department Head Fabio Ciciliano.

"The FS Group has a long tradition of commitment to emergency planning and management. This Protocol further strengthens our cooperation with the Civil Protection Department, allowing us to make our skills, means and technology available to support the country in critical situations. Mobility is a strategic asset, especially in times of emergency, and our aim is to ensure a resilient transport system, capable of responding promptly and efficiently to the needs of the public for relief and assistance. Thanks to this agreement, we have consolidated an operational model based on prevention, speed of action and maximum synergy with the institutions,” said CEO Stefano Antonio Donnarumma.

The main objectives of the Protocol include timely interventions, with coordination and joint management of rail, road and maritime emergencies through enhanced exchange of information between Operations Centres.

Another objective is logistical and operational support, with the provision of FS Group vehicles and resources, including trains, medical trains, buses and qualified personnel in the event of emergencies arising from natural and man-made hazards.

Prevention and training play a fundamental role, with the organisation of joint exercises and the planning of national emergencies, such as the volcanic risk of Vesuvius and the Campi Flegrei, as well as training activities and information campaigns to improve the preparation of operators and increase the awareness of passengers and the public on risk prevention issues.

Lastly, the protocol provides for technological development, with the implementation of innovative tools for infrastructure monitoring and risk prevention, including weather warning systems and advanced sensor systems for the railway network.

The FS Group and the National Civil Defence have a fruitful cooperation in the management of events and activities during emergencies. Together they have handled highly complex critical issues such as the Coronavirus, Ukraine 2022 and events with the movement of large numbers of people (Jubilee, Alpine gatherings, Olympics). Ferrovie also participated in national and international Civil Protection exercises (EXE Flegrei 2019, Sisma dello Stretto 2022, EU-MODEX Venice 2024, EXE Flegrei 2024).

In addition, they worked jointly on major emergencies (floods, landslides, mudslides as in the case of Emilia-Romagna 2023) caused by bad weather and seismic events.

The agreement is the reference for protocols that may be signed between FS Italiane and the territorial structures of the National Civil Protection Service.