RESEARCH BASED TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS FOR SEISMIC RISK REDUCTION IN ROMANIA.

Research institutions and academia play an important role in developing new methods for disaster management and advancing the state-of-the art in risk reduction. In the case of natural disaster studies, fundamental research and theoretical approaches can be directed towards the development of new tools and technologies with direct applicability in the management of emergency situations and in risk mitigation. What needs to be considered by all those actors who can contribute to strengthening the response capacity and raising the level of information of decision-makers, intervention units and society is precisely the adjustment of the tools developed for the purpose in which they will be used. The information required by decision makers covers a wide range of spatial and temporal scales and more important, needs to be timely delivered, continuously updated, easily accessible and understandable. This becomes a challenge in itself, considering that the information will come at the end of the processing flow and at different stages of scientific analysis and interpretation. In this paper we underline the best practices implemented in Romania, a country with a high seismic risk, through a scientific investigation focused on results of seismic monitoring hazard assessment and active collaboration among institutions involved in natural hazards risk management. Going from GIS mapping tools to early warning system and then to dedicated communication, training and education facilities, the support instruments are discussed in terms of advantages and limitations. We also address the importance of communication among scientists, disaster managers and community planners as well as public outreach to assure that everybody knows what tools available and what issues can be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]