Proceedings of the international scientific and professional conference Crisis Management Days.
University of Applied Sciences Velika Gorica
Space Debris – The Silent Environmental Challenge
The 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.
Copyright (c) 2025 Dajana Jelčić Dubček https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Mathematical Models in Different Potential Crisis Situations
According to the Danish mathematician Ole Skovsmose, there are at least three connections between mathematics and crises: mathematics picturing a crisis, mathematics constituting a crisis and mathematics formatting a crisis. In this paper we explain and further explore the three relationships of mathematics and crisis in disease spread and cyber security. Regarding mathematical models, the emphasis is on differential equations which we explain in simple language and show how they are connected to our reality by the use of concrete examples in economics, epidemiology (disease spread) and climate change. Altogether, the aim of this paper is to show and convey to the wider audience how mathematics and crisis are connected and how mathematics, through differential equations, embodies relationships, dynamics and changes of the objects from different areas of the real world, with an emphasis on crises situations.
Copyright (c) 2025 Iva Golubić, Marjana Kuliš, Dora Trbara https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Implementation of Green Computing in Increasing ICT Security
Green computing encompasses practices and technologies aimed at reducing the negative impact of ICT on the natural environment. The goal is to optimize energy performance, reduce carbon emissions, increase resource efficiency, and promote responsible disposal of electronic waste. All of this includes a wide range of activities, from the design of energy-efficient hardware components and the development of software that minimizes energy consumption, to the implementation of sustainable data center management strategies and the recycling of electronic devices. This paper describes the basics of green computing and the importance of its application for increasing ICT security.
Copyright (c) 2025 Davorin Valenčić, Tomislav Hruška, Danijela Kažović https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
ESG and Social Responsibility: How Companies Shape a Better Future
In the context of global challenges related to climate change, growing social inequalities and the need for responsible corporate governance, sustainability is emerging as a key priority in business strategies. The coming period will mark significant changes in the global approach to sustainability. Through innovation, regulation and governance, companies are playing a significant role in shaping a more sustainable future and responding to the most pressing global challenges by implementing ESG standards (E-Environmental, S-Social, G-Governance) and adopting a more responsible approach to society (CSR-Corporate Social Responsibility). Environmental thematic standards explain how companies manage their impact on climate change, energy and water use, biodiversity and ecosystems, how they manage waste, how they use other resources and contribute to the circular economy. The transition from traditional to sustainable practices involves implementing green practices such as switching to renewable energy sources, reducing carbon footprint, designing products with a lower environmental impact. Social standards cover a company`s relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, owners and the communities in which they operate. They address diversity and inclusion, fair working conditions, respect for children´s and human rights, health and safety at work, and contributions to local communities. Governance standards refer to how a company is managed, including business ethics, transparency, control and accountability systems. This includes governance structures, anti-corruption measures, the protection of owners, transparent reporting, respect for labour and human rights, and the management of sustainability-related risks and opportunities. Managing in alignment with the elements of sustainability is very important for ensuring stability and security, and it affects a company ability to attract investment and the trust of investors, especially institutional ones. Over the last decade, due to alarming data related to climate change, several initiatives and legislative frameworks have been adopted: the Paris Climate Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the European Green Deal, and EU directives. The main goal of this paper is to show how S-social components in ESG strategies contribute to the creation a more sustainable future and plays a key role in successful business and profitability in the service of creating long-term value and positive changes in society.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ivana Bulimbašić Paulin https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Addressing Risks for Cultural Heritage in Risk Assessments - Is there any?
When talking about disaster risks, cultural heritage is usually not taken into account—either globally or nationally. Yet, heritage sites are increasingly affected by floods, fires, earthquakes, and other hazards. Despite growing awareness, very few World Heritage properties have developed proper disaster risk reduction plans. Policy-makers, both in cultural and civil protection sectors, tend to focus on what they perceive as “real” priorities, while the vulnerability of heritage is often acknowledged only after a disaster—when it is too late. In Croatia, civil protection legislation includes cultural property protection, yet major strategic documents rarely engage with it meaningfully. This article examines the extent to which cultural heritage is addressed in disaster risk assessments by analysing three selected Croatian cathedrals—Dubrovnik, Rijeka, and Đakovo—and corresponding local risk assessments. Using ICCROM’s Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA), adapted for the Croatian context, the aim was to highlight the gap between official planning and actual vulnerability. The results reveal consistent underrepresentation of cultural heritage in official frameworks and demonstrate the practical value of heritage-specific tools such as the VCA.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ana Miličić, Paula Brailo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Fostering national inter-agency cooperation in disaster risk reduction for cultural heritage in Croatia through the CPforHERITAGE project
The 2020 Zagreb and Petrinja earthquakes, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, exposed significant gaps in Croatia’s disaster preparedness for cultural heritage. To address them, the CPforHERITAGE project was launched in 2024 to strengthen inter-agency collaboration between civil protection and cultural heritage sectors. Key activities included developing joint SOPs, conducting interdisciplinary training, and future cooperation planning. The project produced a mid-term DRR strategy for cultural heritage with measurable outcomes, positioning Croatia on level for an integrated DRM for cultural heritage with other European best practices.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jasna Popović https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
How Culture and Cultural Practices Contribute to Disaster Risk Reduction in the Local Community: Evidence from Zagreb County
Cultural practices and amateur cultural associations play a crucial role in reducing disaster risk within local communities. They strengthen social cohesion and solidarity, enabling a faster and more effective response in crisis situations. Cultural activities transmit traditional knowledge on resilience to natural and social challenges and raise awareness of risks and the importance of prevention through artistic expression. Additionally, cultural organizations often mobilize volunteers and resources necessary for crisis response and serve as intermediaries between institutions and citizens. After disasters, culture aids in the psychological recovery of the population by providing a space for expression and collective community renewal. Cultural centers and spaces can also serve as temporary shelters or logistical hubs for aid distribution. Active citizen participation in civil society organizations focused on culture requires continuous support from local governance structures and adequate funding for their work. Integrating cultural initiatives into disaster management strategies enhances the resilience of local communities and contributes to long-term sustainable development and the strengthening of social cohesion.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jadranka Dujić Frlan https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Communication Between Local and Regional Self-government Units in Crisis Situations
Organizations 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.
Copyright (c) 2025 Drago Martinović https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Communication as a Tool for the Public Good in Times of Crises Caused by the Earthquakes in the City of Zagreb
The risk of earthquakes is continuously present in the Zagreb area, and the strongest one occurred on 9 November 1880. Its catastrophic effects on the city and its population are evident from the records and press publications at the time, the analysis of which reveals the prompt and concrete responses of the city authorities, as the crisis management team, to a major disaster. Communication is primarily one-way and serves the function of ensuring urban safety, and public space is largely regulated and subordinated to official sources. Despite the structured communication immediately after the outbreak of the crisis, over time, there has been an increase in disinformation in public discourse, which negatively affects crisis management and social movements, and even results in the introduction of repressive models for the purpose of controlling the distribution of information and creating a public narrative. The institutionalisation of the urban security concept in the public policies of the City of Zagreb identifies internal and external communication as the backbone of crisis management, defining protocols and assuming the integration of key stakeholders for acting in circumstances of threats of various types and intensities. In the crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the earthquake, which intertwined in Zagreb in 2020, technical and organisational preparedness, with the use of modern technologies, are proved to be a prerequisite for an organised system to provide a successful response to crises through modern communication practices, and self-sustaining specialised platforms represent an imperative for security structures and a priority for a responsible society in establishing and maintaining official dialogue between public authorities and the public in all phases of the crisis. Along with the undeniable benefits of interactive internet services, which manifested their dominance in a crisis context in the rapid and multidirectional exchange of messages, the absence of structured mass communication in accordance with a previously clearly defined crisis plan is conducive to contradictions and the spread of unreliable information that is taken from numerous sources in the entire spectrum of (in)competence.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tomislav Jurić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Attitudes and Opinions of Students at the University of Slavonski Brod on Climate Change
Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing the world in the 21st century. The climate is undeniably changing and significant steps need to be taken to reduce the impact and scale of change. Climate change, caused by the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, is expected to lead to a number of problems that will affect the development of society. Negative impacts include damage from increasingly frequent natural disasters and rising sea levels, pressure on food production, negative effects on human health and many other problems. Public engagement will be critical to an effective response to climate change. A well-informed public that is sufficiently aware of the dangers that climate change can cause and the actions that are being taken to respond to climate change is crucial, as mitigation and adaptation processes cannot begin without changes in individual behaviour and adequate public support for policy decisions. It is precisely for this reason that the aim of this thesis is to investigate students' attitudes and opinions on the risks, consequences and opportunities of adapting to climate change. Empirical research was conducted to investigate the perception of climate change from the students' perspective. The survey methods used include research conducted on a random sample of 133 respondents. The paper analyses in detail the knowledge about climate change, its risks and the opportunities available to students at the University of Slavonski Brod.
Copyright (c) 2025 Helena Todorović, Dinko Zima, Mihaela Blažinkov https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Improving the Sustainability of Agri-food Supply Chain in Croatia with a Focus on Food Processing and Storage
The agri-food supply chain in Croatia has received growing attention due to its essential role in ensuring food security, public health and sustainability. In light of increasing climate variability, disruptions in global markets, and the need for sustainable development, strengthening the efficiency and resilience of the domestic food supply system is becoming a national priority. This paper explores ways to improve the organization of agricultural processing and storage in Croatia, with a particular emphasis on identifying optimal locations for new food storage facilities. It considers key factors such as the geographic distribution of agricultural production, seasonality, transportation networks, and logistical efficiency. The analysis addresses important challenges related to supplier coordination, transportation, and the distribution of goods across regions. It also takes into account uncertainties in supply and demand, reflecting real-world variability and risk. The results indicate that significant operational improvements are possible, including potential cost savings of up to 4.1%. These improvements could lead to more stable, sustainable, and efficient food distribution systems, particularly in rural and underdeveloped areas. By offering a strategic approach to planning investments in storage infrastructure and food logistics, this research supports national goals related to rural development, food independence, and environmental sustainability. The insights provided can assist policymakers and stakeholders in making informed decisions that enhance the long-term resilience and effectiveness of the Croatian agri-food sector.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ana Matin, Nives Jovičić, Ivan Brandić, Tajana Krička, Sanja Kalambura, Božidar Matin, Vanja Jurišić, Karlo Špelić, Alan Antonović , Darian Radić, Tajana Radić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Climate Anxiety Among Croatian Youth: Emotional and Behavioral Responses to the Climate Crisis
Climate change is increasingly recognized not only as an environmental and socio-political issue but also as a significant psychological stressor, particularly among youth. These research results provide insights into how young people in Croatia perceive climate change, experience climate-related anxiety, and respond behaviorally to environmental challenges. Based on a mixed-methods approach, combining a literature review with a quantitative survey of 131 participants aged 18 to 25, the research examines levels of awareness, emotional responses, and the mental health impacts associated with climate change. The results reveal limited familiarity with the term “climate anxiety.” Although most participants rated their knowledge of climate change as moderate, a considerable number reported experiencing worry, fear, and sleep disturbances related to climate concerns. Emotional reactions included fear (most dominant), followed by anger, sadness, and, to a lesser extent, hope. Many respondents also reported difficulties with concentration, changes in appetite, and a general decline in psychological well-being. The findings further indicate a strong belief in collective responsibility, with societal efforts viewed as more impactful than individual actions. While professional psychological support was rarely sought, many young people reported coping through conversations with friends or participation in environmental activities. These findings underscore the importance of integrating climate change topics into formal education, enhancing psychosocial support structures, and promoting youth agency through participatory climate action. By placing the experiences of Croatian youth within the broader international context, these research results contribute to a deeper understanding of the emotional and behavioral dimensions of climate anxiety.
Copyright (c) 2025 Maja Janković, Iva Tolić Mandić, Tamara Tišma https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Automated Analysis of SSL/Tls Certificates and Network Communication Security in Compliance With the Cybersecurity Act
Network communication security is a fundamental aspect of protecting information and communication systems, with SSL/TLS certificates playing a crucial role in ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of data on the internet. However, inadequate implementation, the use of outdated protocols, and expired certificates pose significant security threats. This paper explores the possibilities of automated analysis of SSL/TLS certificates to detect security weaknesses, including the use of insecure encryption algorithms, untrusted certificate authorities, and vulnerable protocols. From a technical perspective, the paper presents a Python-based tool that enables rapid and systematic identification of encryption-related issues. From a legal standpoint, the study examines the obligations of organizations under the Cybersecurity Act, the NIS2 Directive, and the GDPR, which require the implementation of technical and organizational measures to safeguard network and information systems. Special emphasis is placed on the legal consequences of insecure encryption, including regulatory sanctions and organizational liability in cases of security breaches. The goal of this paper is to investigate how automated SSL/TLS certificate analysis can assist organizations in meeting legal requirements and improving network communication security.
Copyright (c) 2025 Antun Matija Filipović, Vladimir Bralić, Silvija Tripalo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
AMOK – The Most Complex Threat to Hybrid Public Places
This paper analyzes and questions the specificities of police tactics in so-called AMOK situations (a state of uncontrollable rage or violence, often associated with senseless destruction or attacks) characterized by extreme violence perpetrated by an individual or group who randomly and uncontrollably endanger the lives and safety of people in selected hybrid (quasi) public spaces. Given their extremely negative implications for citizen, public, and national security, AMOK incidents demand special attention and require police and other security services to engage in systematic monitoring and protocol-based crisis response. These crisis events are sudden and difficult to predict, involving the lethal use of firearms or cold weapons, but recently also various motor vehicles, leading to mass casualties and serious threats to public facilities and spaces In examining the adequacy of response and police tactics in resolving these situations, the crucial variable is the attackers – perpetrators, who typically exhibit psychological difficulties, a sense of social isolation, and motivations related to revenge or personal frustrations, regardless of their social status. At the same time, in certain overlapping aspects of AMOK situations, the attackers may possess a radical ideology that leads toward terrorism. Victims are mostly within hybrid public spaces—students, bystanders, employees, or visitors—where targets may be selected or entirely random. AMOK incidents typically follow several stages: preparatory, execution, intervention, attacker neutralization, and post-crisis. It is important to emphasize that a swift response by potential victims through the "RUN, FIGHT OR HIDE" protocol, along with effective evacuation, is crucial until police arrive. Accordingly, this analysis, in addition to its conceptual and theoretical foundation, includes a case study of ten selected typical AMOK events. The cases are examined using a specially designed methodological model—a matrix of 10–11 variables—through which the patterns and specificities of these events are discussed. In line with the research objective, patterns in the analyzed incidents and responses are identified, and the effectiveness of applied police tactics is assessed, with a view to validating and implementing best practices. The results of the statistical operations confirm a statistically significant correlation between the "speed of police intervention and duration of the attack" (χ²(2) = 9, p = 0.011). In addition to more effectively resolving crisis situations, the research results may also plausibly be applied to the development of preventive tactical measures aimed at enhancing public safety and preventing such events or reducing their harmful consequences.
Copyright (c) 2025 Damir Pišković, Davor Solomun, Marijan Jozić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Extrabudgetary funds represent a specific financing mechanism that enables the targeted collection and allocation of resources for specific purposes. The Civil Protection System Act of 2015 stipulated that the Republic of Croatia should establish an extrabudgetary civil protection fund through a special law to secure financial resources for protection and rescue in major accidents and disasters. A special law was supposed to regulate the establishment and operation of the extrabudgetary civil protection fund, but this was never implemented. The extrabudgetary civil protection fund could play a key role in ensuring the security and resilience of the community in the face of emergency events that can escalate into major emergencies and disasters. The extrabudgetary civil protection fund can also offer support in the preparation and implementation of disaster risk reduction activities, as well as to assist local government units in carrying out civil protection measures and activities within their jurisdiction. This paper aims to demonstrate the importance, role, and challenges associated with managing the extrabudgetary civil protection fund. Through the conducted research, the paper will present financial indicators related to the planning and expenditure of funds to determine the priorities for the development of civil protection that can be financed through the extrabudgetary civil protection fund.
Copyright (c) 2025 Igor Milić, Kristina Milic, Petar Vitas https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
A compact, AI-powered System for Rapid Decontamination During CBRNE Incidents
Effective decontamination is critical in emergency response, yet traditional systems require extensive infrastructure, specialized personnel and significant logistical support, limiting their practicality in urgent scenarios. This Work-in-Progress (WiP) paper presents: i) the Fast Deployable Mass Decontamination system (FDMD), a novel decontamination tunnel designed for rapid deployment, operational flexibility and ease of use in various emergency response environments, and ii) the DECON Body Pose Estimation Tool (DBPET), a camera-based AI-driven image-analysis system that tracks body posture in real-time, integrated with the FDMD to ensure optimal decontamination coverage. Utilizing integrated speakers, the DBPET provides automated, step-by-step instructions to guide individuals and minimize body posture error based on international standards. Additionally, its multilingual support enhances accessibility, enabling clear communication in high-stress environments. FDMD incorporates three interchangeable sets of sprinklers, supporting both wet and dry decontamination methods based on the nature of the contamination. The system features a lightweight, modular structure that enables quick assembly with minimal training requirements, while minimizing its storage in a large suitcase. This paper examines the decontamination process and systems and outlines the FDMD’s and DBPET’s design, key technological components, initial experimental validation efforts and expected impact and benefits. Preliminary assessments focus on deployment speed, body posture efficiency and operational scalability. Future work will expand on performance testing, field trials and integration with other technological tools under development (e.g. Digital Triage Tag) and within emergency response frameworks. By addressing current decontamination challenges, FDMD integrated with the DBPET aim to provide an efficient, cost-effective, rapidly deployable and adaptable solution for first responders (FRs), experts and non-experts managing CBRNE incidents.
Copyright (c) 2025 Manousos Logiakis, Prodromos Boutis, Iliana Vasilopoulou, Katerina Valouma, Anastasios Dimou, Spyridon Kintzios, Eleftherios Ouzounoglou, Stefanos Vrochidis https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
CROalertNet – System Architecture and Proposed Modules
This paper expands on the previously presented idea for a new information system – CROalertNet. CROalertNet is a multi-platform, multi-module information system designed to use mobile devices to assist civilians during crisis events and which is capable of maintaining a basic degree of functionality in offline mode, which is the expected state during a major crisis event. Our previous work described the need for such an information system and presented, in detail, the idea of a single module – a bomb shelter location mobile application. The previously presented module is a small part of the whole system and in this paper, we expand on the system by proposing a full module list and basic system architecture of the CROalertNet information system. A fully developed CROalertNet system would greatly enhance communication capabilities during crises and enable civilians access to vital information even when communication channels (such as mobile networks) break down or function in a reduced capacity due to network congestion.
Copyright (c) 2025 Antun Matija Filipović, Tina Bralić, Vladimir Bralić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Integrative Approaches to Urban Security: The City of Zagreb’s Strategy for the period 2025-2030 and the Role of Community-Based Prevention
The paper provides an overview of the strategic approach to urban security using the example of the City of Zagreb and recent international research, to present methodological frameworks and the social and scientific contributions of the urban security concept. By outlining the development process of the Urban Security Strategy for the City of Zagreb for the period 2025–2030, this paper explores key security challenges in contemporary urban environments, including crime, cyber threats, climate risks, and citizens' perceptions of safety. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of an integrated approach, community participation, and the role of local prevention councils. Urban security is increasingly recognized as a crucial component of the sustainable and resilient development of European cities. This approach is encouraged by EU recommendations on strengthening local resilience and risk management. Each city should develop local policies that ensure safe living conditions and an improved quality of life for its citizens. In this context, particular importance is given to prevention councils within city districts as key actors in identifying community needs and implementing safety measures at the level of local self-government. The Urban Security Strategy of the City of Zagreb defines local and regional self-government units as responsible for specific measures, with an obligation to integrate them into local regulations, annual plans, and budgets. The Strategy was adopted by the City Assembly of Zagreb and published in the Official Gazette of the City of Zagreb No. 40/24. The City of Zagreb implements its authority through local and district self-government bodies and municipal administrative services, enabling the implementation of comprehensive and integrated security policies. In this way, the alignment of security measures with local needs and development priorities is ensured. The Urban Security Strategy of the City of Zagreb incorporates both horizontal and vertical coordination, connecting local stakeholders with national security frameworks. Keywords: urban security, City of Zagreb, prevention, prevention councils, perception of safety, integrated governance, citizen participation
Copyright (c) 2025 Dunja Zlomislić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Private Security Guards or Security and Civil Protection Workers as Future Guarantors of Safety in Elementary Schools
After the latest incident at the Prečko elementary school, the level of security in elementary schools has once again become a priority security and social issue in the Republic of Croatia. Under pressure from parents and the general public, who, under the impression of the aforementioned incident, demanded strict supervision of elementary school buildings, the city of Zagreb, Pula and several other local communities hired security guards at the entrances to school buildings. However, immediately after the incident itself, doubts arose from the line ministry and several actors involved in the aforementioned issue, as to whether private security guards in schools are a sufficiently adequate and optimal solution. Following the above, in order to provide an argumentative explanation of the aforementioned dilemma, we will attempt to analyze possible threats and dangers in elementary schools, as well as the proposed security measures proposed by the ministry. In addition to the above, the subject of analysis will also be the protective activities of licensed security guards in accordance with their legal authorities, in proportion to future security and civil protection employees, in the capacity of new security officers in elementary schools proposed by the line ministry.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ante Perčin, Ivan Nađ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Enhancing Crisis Readiness Civil Protection Exercises and Public Awareness in the City of Zagreb
Introduction This paper examines how civil protection exercises and public awareness initiatives contribute to improving the City of Zagreb’s preparedness for emergency situations. The city regularly conducts exercises involving all relevant stakeholders to assess the effectiveness and coordination of emergency services in crisis scenarios. Additionally, public education campaigns play a crucial role in enhancing community resilience by equipping citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to respond effectively to emergencies. Methodology The research is based on an analysis of civil protection exercises conducted in Zagreb, focusing on two major drills held last year: one simulating a radiological incident and another involving the rescue of multiple individuals from a complex of three large buildings. Data was gathered from official reports, expert evaluations, and observations of exercise performance. Furthermore, the study incorporates insights from real-life emergencies, such as an earthquake and a severe storm, to evaluate how past experiences have shaped current preparedness strategies. Public education efforts were also analyzed through participation levels and effectiveness in raising awareness about disaster response measures. Main Results Findings indicate that civil protection exercises significantly contribute to improving coordination, decision-making speed, and operational efficiency among emergency services, including medical teams, firefighters, and law enforcement. While exercises help identify shortcomings in response strategies, real-life emergencies have further exposed gaps in inter-agency coordination and resource management. The study highlights the importance of continuous training and system improvements to address these challenges. Additionally, public awareness initiatives have proven effective in educating citizens about emergency preparedness, though further engagement and outreach efforts are necessary to enhance overall societal resilience. The combination of structured exercises and public education is essential for strengthening crisis readiness in the City of Zagreb. Magdalena Combaj Sector for Civil Protection and Security
Copyright (c) 2025 Magdalena Combaj https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Trauma Care in Emergency Situations: Organisation of Medical Response and Local Community Resilience
Emergencies such as natural disasters, industrial accidents, and mass trauma events demand a rapid, coordinated medical response to minimise morbidity and mortality. Effective trauma care hinges on structured protocols, accurate triage, resource optimisation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Triage systems, including the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocol and Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment (START), prioritise patients based on injury severity, ensuring timely intervention. Haemorrhage control with tourniquets and haemostatic dressings is critical for survival. Immediate access to diagnostic imaging, point-of-care testing and early blood transfusions enhances outcomes. Hospital emergency plans must account for surge capacity, patient diversion, and intensive care unit preparedness. Trauma centres should implement damage control strategies, including resuscitative thoracotomy and early goal-directed therapy. The integration of telemedicine allows specialists to provide real-time guidance, improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficiency. Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital health tools enhance emergency response by optimising triage, predicting patient deterioration, and streamlining workflows. Cloud-based electronic health records and geographic information systems enable the real-time sharing of data and the rapid deployment of medical teams. Lessons from past crises highlight the need for systematic training, simulation exercises, and multi-agency collaboration. Disaster medicine courses equip healthcare providers with essential trauma management skills, and regular disaster drills enhance the resilience and preparedness of the healthcare system. Sustainable emergency care requires adaptable response models, continuous resource monitoring, and refinement of strategies based on evidence-based practices. Investment in healthcare infrastructure, including trauma centres, mobile field hospitals, and helicopter emergency medical services, is crucial for managing large-scale emergencies. In conclusion, timely emergency trauma care depends on well-coordinated medical responses, advanced technologies, and continuous training. Strengthening local community resilience through systematic preparedness is essential for mitigating the impact of future crises and safeguarding public health.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tomislav Matejić, Snježana Kaštelan, Ivana Lovrić, Uršula Kaštelan Brumen, Anja Car https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Crisis Management in a Learning Organization
A key property of a learning organization is its ability to cope with change, and in this context, with crisis situations. Crisis situations are events characterized by factors such as suddenness, short decision-making time and threats to organizational goals, insecurity, uncertainty, limited control and impact on future operations. It is not possible to fully predict the moment when different types of crisis situations will appear, so one of the key characteristics of organizations is preventive action in the context of preparation and thinking about the ways of acting and behaving in different crisis situations. This is also one of the key tasks of crisis management. As part of the preventive action of crisis management, it is necessary to evaluate and analyze previous experiences, both one's own and those of others, and apply lessons learned in the crisis planning and preparation phase. Crisis learning represents organizational behavior in accordance with the concept of a learning organization. Such learning contributes to organizational effectiveness but must become an integral part of the organizational culture of the organizations themselves. Rethinking and adopting all organizational activities that have proven to be effective in containing and resolving a crisis throughout its duration, as well as changing and eliminating all inadequate and ineffective procedures, is part of the learning phase, the contribution of which is reflected in future preventive activities. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance of preventive action and systematic preparation for the occurrence of various types of crises, with a special emphasis given to the adoption of ideas and organizational behavior aligned with the concept of a learning organization.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tamara Čendo Metzinger, Ana Mirenić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Media Coverage of the Migrant Crisis in Bosnia and Herzegovina: How the Narrative Shapes the Perception of Mixed Migration
The migrant crisis in Europe, which has been ongoing since 2015, has not passed by Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). It is estimated that between the beginning of 2018 and the beginning of 2025, more than 150,000 irregular migrants have passed through BiH on their way to European Union (EU) countries as their final destination. BiH has been faced with an increased influx of migrants or mixed migration flows, which has brought a variety of challenges and problems. The relevant institutions were not sufficiently prepared to respond to this crisis, and political actors imposed not only crisis communication, carried by the media, but also a sense of (de)stabilization and (in)security through a securitization approach. The question is whether the concept of securitization has prevailed in the media space, whether these issues have caused problems at the domestic level, and to what extent has it influenced the general perception of citizens about this phenomenon in Bosnia and Herzegovina? The aim of this paper is to analyze the statements of BiH political actors on mixed migration flows in BiH in the period from 01.07.2020 to 30.06.2021, the year in which the largest number of migrants resided in BiH, and the research included an analysis of 20 BiH media and their 1,065 publications.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ilarija Basic, Mirsad Buzar https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Critical Infrastructure Resilience and Civil Preparedness: EU and NATO approaches
Following three subsequent attacks against EU Member States’ critical infrastructures (CIs) in the Baltic Sea in late 2024, NATO urged its member countries to think about conflict preparedness. In early 2025, while debating the risks and consequences of attacks against EU CIs, the European Parliament urged Member States to consider how to prepare for the worst-case scenario, considering the rising geopolitical tensions and Russia’s hybrid attacks against EU CIs. In absence of its own defence capabilities, the EU depends heavily on NATO for military defence. While the military Alliance considers civil preparedness a central pillar of its members’ resilience in the face of conflict and an enabler for collective defence, EU Member States’ degree of civil preparedness has been evaluated as inadequate. Yet, former Finnish President considers civil preparedness as a citizens’ right and Sweden has already distributed booklets, across the country’s households, on what to do in case of war. This paper compares the civil preparedness policy frameworks and capabilities of the EU and NATO, in case of CI failure during conflict. It identifies points of convergence, divergence, complementarities and synergies to assess the degree to which the EU is adequately equipped to respond and recover from cyber-attacks against CIs and mitigate their impacts on the civilian population. The discussion focuses on the current weaknesses of the EU’s framework and capacities and provides guidance on how to integrate the governance of CI resilience within civil preparedness and crisis management frameworks.
Copyright (c) 2025 Clara Cotroneo, Alexandru Georgescu https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Mass Casualty Incidents and Healthcare System Challenges: Capacity Adaptation and Emergency Medical Coordination
Mass casualty incidents (MCIs) put enormous pressure on healthcare systems, requiring a fast and well-organized response. These events, such as large-scale accidents, natural disasters, and pandemics, lead to a sudden increase in critically injured patients, demanding quick hospital capacity expansion, effective triage, and coordinated emergency medical services. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring hospitals can accommodate many patients without compromising care quality. This requires opening additional treatment areas, using mobile medical units, and transferring stable patients to other facilities to free up critical care beds. Ensuring a steady supply of essential medical resources, such as ventilators, surgical equipment, and blood products is crucial for effective response. Triage is essential in prioritising care and using resources efficiently. Standardised triage systems, supported by digital tools and artificial intelligence, can help medical teams quickly assess injury severity and decide on the best course of action. Wearable monitoring devices can track patients' vital signs, allowing for better transport and hospital admission decisionmaking. Effective emergency coordination depends on strong communication between hospitals, emergency responders, and government agencies. Using digital platforms and real-time data sharing ensures faster decision-making and better resource allocation. Helicopter transport and mass evacuation protocols can improve patient distribution, reducing strain on individual facilities. Technology plays a growing role in MCI management. AI-driven systems can predict patient influx and help distribute medical supplies more efficiently. Geographic information systems can map affected areas, guiding emergency teams to where they are most needed. Electronic health records allow quick access to patient information, ensuring seamless care transitions between medical teams. Long-term preparedness is key to strengthening healthcare system resilience. Regular training, simulation drills, and disaster response education for healthcare workers improve response efficiency. International collaboration in emergency planning, shared protocols, and resource exchanges enhance global readiness for future crises. MCIs require a proactive approach integrating medical, technological, and logistical strategies. By improving triage methods, strengthening communication networks, and investing in healthcare infrastructure, medical systems can respond more effectively and save more lives. Future efforts should focus on better preparedness, advanced predictive tools, and stronger international cooperation to minimise the impact of mass casualty events.
Copyright (c) 2025 Tomislav Matejić, Snježana Kaštelan, Ivana Lovrić, Uršula Kaštelan Brumen, Katarina Đukić https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
Crisis Communication of Public Institutions on Social Media
The topic of this paper is the crisis communication of public institutions during the earthquakes and the pandemic in the Republic of Croatia. The research focuses on both the challenges and the potential that social media platforms offer in times of crisis. During such periods, the demand for timely and accurate information significantly increases, and in today's digital age, social media plays a key role in message dissemination and public engagement. This paper is based on a theoretical framework that encompasses key concepts of crisis communication, media literacy, the phenomenon of misinformation (fake news), and the role of social media in shaping public opinion. Through the analysis of real-life examples, the paper explores how Croatian institutions used digital platforms to inform the public, assess crisis events, and manage emergency situations, all of which require rapid, accurate, and reliable communication. Special attention is given to the communication strategies employed by the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) and the Government of the Republic of Croatia during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Sisak-Moslavina County. By analysing these institutions' communication strategies and key decision-making processes, the study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of their approaches and their impact on public trust in government institutions.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ana Mirenić, Tamara Čendo Metzinger, Lucija Stanilović https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0