OJS (University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica)
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Prevention of unintentional human errors in aircraft maintenance by introducing electronic communication
Get PDFAccording to the law on air traffic, any change in technology or working process in the maintenance organization can lead to the occurrence of unintentional human errors that can threaten the safety of aircraft utilization. The causes of accidents identified as unintentional human error according to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) annual report are up to 80% of cases. In aircraft maintenance, the biggest factors in human error are communication errors. To reduce the occurrence of human error, according to the prescribed safety system, it is obligatory to find the causes of errors and to define preventive actions to prevent them. To prevent errors in communication, it is necessary to standardize the transmission of information and standardize the form of writing and expression as a preventive measure. A preventive action to prevent errors is to establish communication without writing on paper, establishing communication in accordance with internal procedures and permitted authorizations that must be part of computer communication
Crisis management and resilience of critical infrastructure: SUNRISE project insights
No full textIntroduction
Crisis management is often considered as the short-term, reactive strategy to handle emergencies, while critical infrastructure resilience is a long-term, proactive approach to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance stability. Both are essential for security and stability, but how do they complement each other?
Resilience is a concept that spans different domains (physical, information, cognitive or social) and has different capacities, abilities, or principles[1] in face of different adverse events. These events can be categorized as slow-onset or rapid-onset based on how quickly they manifest and escalate. Climate change, geopolitical tensions or rising unemployment can be considered as a slow-onset events. Natural disasters, stock market crash, or power grid failures are examples of rapid-onset events.
Event such as pandemic falls into both categories. It might initially spread slowly before reaching global impact, but there could be transitions to rapid-onset event during a critical period. Understanding this dual nature is therefore crucial for effective pandemic preparedness and response strategies. Healthcare systems, or critical infrastructures in general can experience near-instant service degradation due to a surge in cases, causing a rapid shift from containment to crisis management.
In this context, we can also mention many EU efforts, starting from the European programme for critical infrastructure protection (Directive 2008/114 [1]), which establishes a procedure for identifying and designating European CI, to a more recent Directive on the Resilience of Critical Entities (CER Directive, [2]) that entered into force on 16 January 2023. In contrast to the previous approach, with more focus on prevention and mitigation, CER directive also focuses on the response and the rapidity of recovery during and after the event.
SUNRISE (Strategies and Technologies for United and Resilient Critical Infrastructures and Vital Services in Pandemic-Stricken Europe) is a project, co-funded by the European Commission, that considers lessons learned from COVID-19 pandemics, as well as the related challenges for critical infrastructures (CI) operators to come up with solutions that would help in improving their resilience. Project approach is user-driven with national, as well as the cross-country workshops conducted in a systematic manner to shape challenges and requirements for the design of the system.
This paper explains the main project concepts and brings them in relation to crisis management process that involves identifying potential crises, preparing for them, responding to them, and mitigating their potential damages. Organizations and government entities must be prepared to handle sudden crises, linked to unexpected rapid-onset events that occur without warning, as well as other types of crises, such as those caused by the failure to respond effectively to early warning signs, including health crises, cybersecurity breaches, or critical infrastructure failures.
The SUNRISE objectives are addressing both strategic level with scenario-based planning and simulation tools, as well as awareness of the dynamic threat landscape related to and implied by pandemics, often observed at the operational level, where several technological solutions have been implemented.
We will show how resilient infrastructure reduces the severity of crises, making crisis management efforts more effective, while crisis management can support continued operation or quick restoration of critical infrastructures.
Structured response based on observation and orientation, resource optimization or stakeholder engagement and collaboration, will also be addressed in scenarios which include “threat multipliers”. Finally, the use of artificial intelligence technologies in SUNRISE, for example in demand prediction or in anomaly detection, will also be explained.
Methodology
The current critical infrastructures (CI) and supporting information systems have evolved into a highly distributed infrastructure, crossing several domains, such as energy, transport, healthcare, or finance. This complexity, and relatively poor collaboration and data sharing between CI domains, makes them increasingly vulnerable. We describe the current situation in critical infrastructure protection and resilience, before moving to project set-up and strategy overview. The basic hypothesis is that different stakeholders (e.g. CI operators), different decision-making levels (strategic, tactical and operational) and different types of adverse events and scenarios, including threat multiplication scenarios, require flexible strategies and solution. We also argue that for the fast-changing situations and contextualization of the available information in rapidly changing circumstances, approach based on Observe, Orient, Decide, Act (OODA) loop is more appropriate than Plan, Do, Check, Act (PDCA) approach, which is often used at strategic level for mid to long term planning. We will present the project main results, before diving into the specific example of cyber-physical resilience tool.
This solution uses model able to adapt rapidly to changing operating condition values, such as workforce absenteeism or threat probability, and is also addressing:
Awareness of the dynamic cyber threat landscape related to and/or implied by pandemics.
Improved estimations of probability and impact needed in risk assessments for cyber threats under temporary conditions
Increased collaboration among the CI operators from different industry sectors, public authorities, and other stakeholders.
Main results
When it comes to CI, types of assets are different in each sector, and impacts can be different (e.g., availability of CI might have large consequences on the overall economy). Demand of critical goods to ensure business continuity or uncertain availability of skilled workers are examples of pandemic specific risk indicators to be considered. Physical indicators are related to unauthorized access to hardware, or detection of malicious or unknown hardware components and terminals. Human indicators are related to training and awareness, psychological or behavioral risks, including trust, urgency, fear, greed, helpfulness, or curiosity. Pandemic event also brings supply chain risks, imbalance in the workload, weak coordination, parallel decision making, lack of integrated health protocols, employee turnover, etc.
Besides SUNRISE strategic framework, which is also supported by a specific tool, another four solutions have been developed to deal with operational challenges during pandemics: risk-based access control (RIBAC), demand prediction and management (DPM) tool, solution for cyber-physical resilience (CPR), and remote infrastructure inspection (RII) solution. In this paper we will introduce all tools, before covering in more details CPR [3], consisting of four main modules (AI-powered log monitoring, security risk assessment tool, incident response management tool and threat intelligence sharing platform).
[1] Definitions differ in literature but usually span some kind of division into prepare/absorb/recover/adap
Fostering inter-agency cooperation in disaster risk management for cultural heritage in Croatia through the CPforHERITAGE project
No full textThe awareness of hazards to cultural heritage was significantly raised by the Zagreb and Petrinja earthquakes in 2020. The circumstance of this disaster was unprecedented since damage assessment, response and recovery of cultural heritage had to be organized within another broader and worldwide crisis of Covid 19 pandemic. The Croatian national civil protection and national cultural heritage protection services joined forces in an ad hoc manner to provide first aid to heritage in this crisis, and to facilitate recovery which is still in progress four years after these devastating events. The lessons learned have been recognized by both sectors to be vital in encouraging better practices in their own respective fields. More importantly, they have been recognized as crucial for improving collaboration of the sectors in all cycles of disaster risk reduction for cultural heritage. Thus, in 2023 a project was proposed by the Directorate for Civil Protection, developed in collaboration with the Directorate for Protection of Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture and Media, and financed by the Union Civil Protection Mechanism with the aim to form five regional interdisciplinary and inter-agency response teams trained to manage cultural heritage in times of crisis. This paper presents project results, together with strategies and tools developed to improve disaster risk management for cultural heritage in Croatia.
It had been recognized that both sectors had significant experience, skills and other resources necessary to respond to a catastrophic event, developed in previous disasters including the Homeland War. However, the earthquakes in 2020 revealed a gap in terms of integration of both sectors. Therefore, the CPforHERITAGE project was designed with a focus to develop strategy to reduce the detected gap and to foster an integrative disaster risk management for cultural heritage system. For this purpose, four major activities were designed and conducted within a one-year framework. One, the project work team defined obligations and roles of all stakeholders in the process of managing cultural heritage in times of crisis before and during an emergency, through developing a Standard Operative Procedure for joint action on the ground. Two, mutual and continuous support between systems was established through a set of specific activities, including joint training for both heritage protection professionals and civil protection operational forces. Three, appropriate competences of human resources were developed through study visits abroad in cooperation with the French and Italian civil protection services, in order to become familiar with their existing practices of disaster risk management for cultural heritage. Four, the work team created a basis for coordinated development of technological resources in both sectors. These activities were carried out through cabinet work, regular inter-agency meetings and discussions, as well as joint visits to heritage sites damaged by disasters both in Croatia and abroad. All strategic documents and proposals were first drafted by each sector individually, shared, revised and tested in table-top simulations, and real-time drills. Part of the activities was carried out in collaboration with the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, namely their First Aid and Resilience for Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis Program (ICCROM - FAR). More than thirty professionals across the board were trained together and are now part of a network sharing mutual vision of future development of the DRM for CH system. Finally, a mid-term strategy for future collaboration was developed and approved by officials in both sectors, with the appropriate indicators of efficiency clearly designed. The paper argues that the CPforHERITAGE project has significantly improved national disaster preparedness and inter-agency cooperation in managing disaster risks for cultural heritage
Vulnerability assessment and risk analysis in primary school buildings
No full textAs a result of the unfortunate events at the Prečko Primary School in Zagreb, the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, in the context of increasing security in primary school buildings, adopted the Protocol on Entry and Exit Control in School Institutions, and prescribed the obligation to prepare an Assessment of the Current Situation and Risk Analysis for all school institutions, which schools must prepare together with the founder and local teams within 90 days. However, the aforementioned obligation was given only with certain brief guidelines from the Ministry of the Interior that can be used to prepare a security assessment, while the methodology and method of preparation itself are not prescribed in more detail. Following the above, this paper deals with the issues of the content and form of the assessment in question, the method of collecting and processing the collected data, a snapshot of the current situation, and the calculation and final assessment of the level of threat based on the comprehensive processing and treatment of risks in relation to property, hazards, threats, vulnerabilities and consequences
Marine water bioremediators: Sustainable solutions for pollution reduction
No full textMarine water pollution represents one of the most critical environmental challenges today. Increased industrial development, urbanization, and tourism expansion significantly contribute to the introduction of toxic substances into marine ecosystems, including heavy metals (e.g., mercury, cadmium, lead), organic pollutants (such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons - PAHs and pesticides), and nutrients causing eutrophication. Traditional purification methods, such as chemical treatments and physical processes (filtration, sedimentation), are often costly, energy-intensive, and may lead to secondary pollution. Therefore, biological purifiers (bioremediators) emerge as a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution. Bioremediators utilize microorganisms (bacteria, archaea, fungi), algae, and plants that, through natural metabolic processes, degrade or remove pollutants from marine water. Key bioremediation methods include:
Bioremediation – the use of specific microorganisms like Pseudomonas putida or Alcanivorax borkumensis to degrade organic pollutants such as petroleum derivatives.
Phytoremediation – the use of macroalgae (Ulva, Gracilaria) and seagrasses (Posidonia oceanica) to absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
Biosorption – the application of biomass (living or dead) to bind heavy metals from water.
Biofiltration – the use of microbial biofilms attached to substrates to remove suspended particles and dissolved contaminants.
The aim of this paper is to investigate the efficiency of bioremediators in removing specific pollutants and to analyze their mechanisms of action in marine environments. Special emphasis is placed on the removal capabilities of heavy metals, nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), and organic contaminants. The research examines various types of bioremediators and their application in real ecosystems, such as marinas, ports, and areas affected by oil spills. Results indicate that bioremediators can significantly reduce pollutant concentrations in marine ecosystems with minimal environmental impact. For example, the application of Alcanivorax borkumensis has proven effective in degrading hydrocarbons after oil spills, while macroalgae successfully removed excess nutrients in eutrophic areas. Despite these successes, challenges such as optimizing the efficiency of bioremediators under different ecological conditions and adapting them to specific types of pollution still require further research. The development of hybrid systems that combine biological, chemical, and physical methods could further enhance process efficiency.
Bioremediators represent a promising solution for the preservation of marine ecosystems, enabling sustainable management of marine resources and reducing the ecological footprint of industrial and urban areas
Strengthening earthquake monitoring in Dubrovnik-Neretva County through collaboration between local municipality and scientific research community
No full textThe integration of scientific expertise, governmental preparedness, and local governance is critical for effective earthquake monitoring and disaster response. This extended abstract presents a cooperative framework between the local municipality of Dubrovnik-Neretva County and the Department of Geophysics, Faculty of Science, to enhance earthquake preparedness and mitigation strategies. The collaboration focuses on establishing a robust earthquake monitoring network around Dubrovnik, incorporating 11 new seismic stations and distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) measurements. This initiative bridges scientific knowledge with policy-making and emergency response mechanisms to ensure the safety and resilience of communities in this seismically active region.
1. INTRODUCTIONSeismic monitoring and disaster response require interdisciplinary collaboration to mitigate risks and enhance preparedness. Dubrovnik-Neretva County is located in a seismically active region, making earthquake monitoring a priority for local authorities. In response to this necessity, the local municipality has partnered with the Department of Geophysics, Faculty of Science, to develop an advanced earthquake monitoring system. This study explores the synergies between these entities, highlighting best practices and challenges in implementing a regional seismic network.
2. METHODS AND COLLABORATIVE FRAMEWORK The cooperation between Dubrovnik-Neretva County and the Department of Geophysics is based on several key initiatives. The establishment of a seismic network has been a priority, with 11 new seismic stations strategically deployed across the region to improve earthquake detection capabilities. These stations provide high-resolution seismic data essential for early warning systems and hazard assessment. In addition to traditional seismometers, the integration of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology, which utilizes fiber-optic cables to detect seismic waves, has enhanced real-time seismic monitoring and enabled the early detection of earthquake-related ground movements.Data sharing and communication have been strengthened through information exchanges between the Department of Geophysics and local authorities, ensuring immediate response capabilities in case of seismic activity. Public awareness and education have also been a major component of this collaboration, with educational campaigns and community outreach programs helping residents understand earthquake risks and preparedness measures. The scientific risk assessments provided by the Department of Geophysics are actively integrated into local urban planning, construction regulations, and emergency management policies to enhance long-term disaster resilience.
3. CASE STUDY: DUBROVNIK SEISMIC MONITORING NETWORK The seismic monitoring initiative in Dubrovnik-Neretva County serves as a model for regional earthquake preparedness. The installation of 11 seismic stations has provided comprehensive ground motion data, significantly improving earthquake detection and analysis. The use of DAS has further strengthened monitoring capabilities by offering continuous, high-resolution measurements of seismic activity. This collaborative project has demonstrated that close cooperation between scientific institutions and local authorities leads to more effective disaster risk management.
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Preliminary results indicate that the Dubrovnik seismic network has enhanced earthquake detection accuracy and response efficiency. The integration of DAS technology has allowed for the detection of even minor seismic events, providing valuable data for hazard assessment. The collaboration has led to improved hazard prediction, increased public trust, and enhanced resource allocation for disaster preparedness. Despite these benefits, challenges such as funding sustainability, maintenance of seismic stations, and ensuring continuous data integration remain and require strategic policy adjustments to maintain long-term operational effectiveness.
5. FUTURE PERSPECTIVES To further enhance earthquake monitoring and response in Dubrovnik-Neretva County, future efforts should focus on expanding the monitoring infrastructure by increasing the number of seismic stations and enhancing the DAS network to cover a larger geographical area. The development of an early warning system based on real-time alert mechanisms is crucial to providing immediate warnings to residents and emergency responders. Strengthening cooperation with global and European seismic monitoring institutions will improve data exchange and predictive modeling capabilities. Additionally, continuous training programs for emergency responders and policymakers will ensure that all stakeholders remain prepared for future seismic events.
6. CONCLUSIONThe cooperation between Dubrovnik-Neretva County and the Department of Geophysics, Faculty of Science, marks a significant advancement in earthquake monitoring and disaster preparedness in the region. The establishment of an 11-station seismic network and the integration of DAS technology have enhanced real-time earthquake detection, ultimately improving public safety. Strengthening this collaboration through technological advancements, policy development, and public engagement is essential for mitigating earthquake-related risks. Future work should focus on expanding monitoring capabilities, implementing early warning systems, and fostering international cooperation to ensure long-term resilience against seismic hazards
Sava – Altered course and submerged facts: The myth about the lack of crisis communication during the great Zagreb flood of 1964 circulating for six decades
Get PDFThe flood caused by the overflowing of the Sava River on the night of 25/26 October 1964 is considered by most expert sources and in various scientific fields, areas and branches to be the greatest natural disaster to hit Zagreb. A total of 17 lives lost were recorded, while 40000 people were left homeless, and a third of the city area at the time was flooded. The damage was wide-spread, both material and one that cannot be measured against economic criteria, which is why the great affliction quickly became a major disaster, the effects of which are still classified in most relevant publications as the most severe ever recorded in the history of the Croatian capital. Documentary accounts of this crisis situation clearly show a lack of archival and descriptive records about the communication activities which, despite the interpretations present in the public discourse since the event itself, were implemented intensively and effectively – before and during, as repeatedly emphasised, the most tragic Zagreb flood. This paper, especially with the analysis of primary sources, identifies a crisis communication practice that refutes the previous narrative according to which “no one cared to prevent the disaster” and also shows the effect of media discontinuity on the formation of collective consciousness, as well as the significance of crisis communication in the process of forming institutional memory. The research results, in addition to the importance of a timely, structured and continuous mass communication in crisis conditions, point to the need for formalised procedures and defined standards, as well as strengthening communication and security protocols in the context of potential and realised urban threats
Communication Between Local and Regional Self-government Units in Crisis Situations
Get PDFOrganizations affected by crisis situations should become the primary source of information. Therefore, the importance of their actions is most evident in crisis situations, usually through PR officers or spokespersons. Since the most feared crises are major accidents and disasters, crises caused by sudden forces of nature, technical-technological and other events, the focus of this work is on the administrative levels close to the citizens, the local and regional self-government units, and their actions in such situations. In addition to the personnel requirements for the successful management of protection and rescue operations and crisis communication, normative and legal measures are also necessary to deal with crisis situations. Therefore, one of the main objectives of this thesis is the collection of data and the presentation of research results on the personnel and normative-legal requirements for successful crisis communication of local and regional self-government units with the public through secondary research and e-survey
Space Debris – The Silent Environmental Challenge
Get PDFThe increasing reliance on satellite-based technologies for communication, navigation, and Earth observation has led to an unprecedented growth in the number of artificial satellites, particularly in low Earth orbit. Alongside their benefits, this expansion has resulted in a growing accumulation of inactive satellites and orbital debris, raising serious environmental and safety concerns. This review examines the ecological implications of the space debris problem, with particular emphasis on the risks posed by uncontrolled fragmentation, long-term orbital persistence, and cascading collision scenarios such as the Kessler syndrome. Existing and emerging mitigation measures are discussed, including active debris removal technologies and satellite end-of-life protocols. The paper highlights the urgent need to recognize near-Earth space as a vulnerable environmental domain, requiring global coordination and sustained technical innovation to ensure its long-term usability and safety
Addressing risks for cultural heritage in risk assessments - Is there any?
No full textWhen talking about disaster risks, both on a global and national level, cultural heritage is usually not taken into account. Nevertheless, heritage sites are increasingly affected by events such as floods, mudslides, fire, earthquakes and other hazards including civil unrest in some parts of the world. From the cultural heritage side, the number of World Heritage properties that have developed a proper disaster risk reduction plan is surprisingly low. One of the reasons is that heritage managers still have limited access to disaster risk management strategies or practical implementation experience. Policy-makers, both in the cultural and civil protection field, tend to concentrate their attention and resources on what they perceive as the „real“ priorities and the vulnerability of heritage properties to disasters is normally recognized after a catastrophic event has taken place when it is often too late. This urgency of taking adequate measures towards the preservation and protection of cultural heritage from natural and man-made hazards is recognized by the European Union Civil Protection and other international and national organizations and institutions that deal with civil protection and/or protecting cultural heritage. Due to the vulnerability of cultural heritage to increasing climate-related disasters on one side and the perceived contribution of cultural heritage to sustainable development on the other, more and more projects are developing, manuals are being published and research into the sustainable management of the world's cultural heritage is also increasing.
And what about Croatia? Civil protection by its legal definition is a system that, among other things, serves to protect and save cultural property in major accidents and disasters and to eliminate the consequences of terrorism and war destruction. This definition is built into its basic law - the Civil Protection System Act. It is pure logic that protecting and saving cultural property in major accidents and disasters should be planned, developed and worked on. Disaster Risk Management Strategy for the Republic of Croatia until 2030 did not involve the Ministry of Culture in its creation but it does recognize that one of the major threats in policy making is insufficient inter-ministerial cooperation. The Strategy addresses the need to strengthen response capacities in the field of cultural heritage protection at all risks as well as the need for education and raising awareness on protecting cultural heritage. It is commendable but we should not forget that ground documents for any further planning in the field of civil protection are Disaster Risk Assessment for the territory of the Republic of Croatia and major accident risk assessments for the areas of local and regional self-government units (counties, cities and municipalities).
This article aims to explore risk assessments from the point of some of the most valuable and visible heritage – the cathedrals. Cathedrals not only have a priceless material value as an object by itself, but they also have associated art collections. They are largely visited by tourists and last but not least as a living culture they have a major role in community life and social cohesion. Therefore, cathedrals embody immovable, movable and from the aspect of religious practices also significant intangible value. The survey encompassed three representative cathedrals in different areas, exposed to different risks and three corresponding major accident risk assessments. Both analysing the major accident risk assessments made by local self-government units as well as their own self-assessment done by cathedral managers, the aim was to prove the lack of addressing risks for cultural heritage in relevant risk assessments. For the purpose of this survey the questionnaire that was used, or better be said – introduced, is the Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment better known by its acronym ‘VCA’. This particular VCA for cultural heritage is drafted by The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) and it encompasses movable, immovable, and intangible heritage