In the framework of the European Mechanism which aim is to provide, on request, support in the event of major emergencies and to facilitate improved coordination of assistance intervention provided by the Member States and the Community, taking into account the special needs of the isolated, outermost and other regions or islands of the Community, (as for the Council decision establishing a Community Civil Protection Mechanism, November 2007) the calls for support from many countries who faces different typology of disasters asking support and assistance, are growing.

In December 2007 the European Council approved the decision 2008/73/EC, Euratom, which provides the general requirements for European Civil protection modules. It underlines that the European Civil protection modules may be composed of resources provided by one or more Member States, but that their deployment may be limited to the components necessary for the intervention. The decision requires Civil Protection modules capability to operate with other Civil Protection modules. The decision indicates the elements of self-sufficiency that shall apply to the individual Civil Protection modules listed in Annex II.

In this framework, the PIS.A.R.T.E. project is oriented to test the rapid response capability of two modules:

Advanced Medical Post with Surgery (AMP-S) module

The setting up of an advanced medical post provided with six tents with four arches is foreseen. The tents are pneumatic, modular, assembly, and with all the facilities. Electrical system bill be compliant to EU standards and includes: generators, isolation transformers and lighting installation. Complete health equipment for the setting up of a tent for critical care, tents for operating room, orthopaedics, radiology, ultrasound and temporary shelter. 15 health and medical personnel with an autonomy of at least 10 days will be involved.

Medium Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) module

The acquisition and setting up of means and machines for search and rescue activities in urban context are foreseen. According to the INSARAG guidelines, the technical team will be composed by experts in static instabilities, experts in search, individuation and isolation of dangerous substances, experts in searching missing people under the rubble with the help of dog units and technological equipment, experts in infiltration into ruins and recovery of victims in confined spaces. Technical equipments, that are mainly already available, will be integrated with further equipments and transport systems in order to ensure the possibility of realizing simultaneous operations concerning the research of missing people under the debris. The module will allow the realization of recovery and rescue under critical environmental conditions and it will be suitable for air transportation with an autonomy of at least 10 days.

A communication system will be part of the modules. The main target is to set up a local radio network (short range) to be connected to the satellite link. The satellite link will provide voice and high speed data capability and will also allow video streaming.

The coordinating beneficiary of this project is the Emergency Surgery Group (GCU) the other beneficiaries are: City Council of Pisa, Fire Brigade of Pisa, Italian Red Cross of Pisa.

The Italian Civil Protection Department will support these activities through the involvement of its personnel and inviting the foreseen European countries experts.

The general objectives of the PIS.A.R.T.E. Project is related to the "rapid response capability" in order to allow the EU to intervene rapidly within the EU countries and in third countries in case of emergencies caused by different natural and man made catastrophes.

The specific objectives of the PIS.A.R.T.E. Project is to reinforce and strengthen the rapid response in the field of health assistance and search and rescue support through the establishment of civil protection modules that Italy can make available for European Civil Protection intervention.