Resolution 6 : Strengthening legal frameworks for disaster response, risk reduction and first aid | Power of humanity: Red Cross Red Crescent

State

Name, position and email of the focal person

Austrian Ministry of the Interior, Siegfried Jachs, Head of Unit for Disaster Management and Civil Protection, Siegfried.Jachs@bmi.gv.at

1. Has your government drafted, revised or adopted any laws, policies or procedures at the national or subnational level for the management of international disaster assistance?
No

2. Has your government used the Checklist on Law and Disaster Risk Reduction to review or develop domestic legal frameworks at the national, provincial and / or local levels?
No, we have not undertaken any specific activities yet.

Comments

Despite the fact that the Checklist has not been used so far to undergo a systematic review it is noteworthy to mention that the Austrian legal system is basically consistent with many of the aims as set out in the Checklist. Due to the federal governmental system legal provisions for DRR spread over a number of national and subnational laws, this also means that some of the questions in the Checklist are not fully applicable for the Austrian legal system.

3. What activities have your public authorities undertaken in collaboration with your National Society towards achieving the goals related to DRR, community resilience and climate change adaptation as set out in the Sendai Framework for DRR, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and outcomes of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (‘Paris Agreement’)?
Mainstream DRR across contexts and sectors, Engagement and contribution in National/local DRR platforms, Support the development and/or Implementation of national DRR plan/strategy, Public awareness and public education , Assessment of risk and vulnerability, Disaster response and preparedness (contingency plans, standard operating procedures, pre-disaster meetings, disaster preparedness stocks), Promote the development and implementation of the National Adaptation Plan, Disaster preparedness and contingency policies, plans and programmes, Community early warning systems, Preposition disaster preparedness stocks, Training & simulation drills, Psychosocial support and mental health services

Comments

Public authorities work continuously on the reduction of disaster risks in Austria. Various activities take place on local, regional and national level comprising risk awareness raising, risk communication activities with specific stakeholders, structural and non-structural measures to mitigate the potential impact of natural hazards, preparedness planning, education and training as well as exercises. Key activities are for instance the implementation of the EU flood directive, the establishment of a national platform for DRR, a long-term strategy for flood and torrent protection, the revision of the climate change adaptation strategy and the work on a new multi-channel warning system.

4. What activities have your public authorities undertaken to strengthen existing legal frameworks related to first aid? This may include promoting the need for regularly updated first aid education in line with existing guidance such as the International Federation’s International First Aid and Resuscitation Guidelines; ensuring equal participation of women, girls, men and boys in first aid training and; mandatory training for school children and teachers and driver’s licence applicants

The Ministry of the Interior works together with non-governmental organizations like the Austrian Civil Protection Association and the Federal Fire Brigade Association in order to promote first aid knowledge among the population, specifically among children. A key project is the Children´s Safety Olympics which is a nationwide competition among school classes with the aim to improve behavior and first aid in case of emergencies and disasters. Austria is also running a nationwide network of safety information centers at municipal level where for instance courses in self-protection are offered to the interested public. The Ministry of Interior has recently increased funding for these activities. Furthermore other ministries and NGOs like the Red Cross are also active in this field. Various channels are used to disseminate information like websites, online-games, printed material, workshops and seminars etc. The legal framework for this activities is provided by subnational law (rescue services acts, disaster management acts) which means that legislation varies from province to province.

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