Action 1 : A comprehensive analysis of the existing local, regional and national flood plans in the North Sea Regions

Throughout the coastal zones in the North Sea Region, contingency planning on flooding, is differently organised. The most of the regions do have a contingency plan for flooding. Sometimes, this plan might be integrated in a general contingency plan, sometimes it is a separated plan. The level on which such a contingency plan is taken care of, might differ from one region to another. It can be organized on a local, regional or national level. Also interpretation and integration of the areas covered by the chain of safety might differ between the regions/member states.
In order to get a short overview of the existing contingency planning within the participating partners of this project, a quick scan has been made. The results of this questionnaire will form the basis for the comprehensive analysis. Starting point for the analysis will be the model of the chain of safety as described above. The results of the analysis will give an overview of differences and similarities between the different regions as well as a better understanding of the differences amongst and possibilities within the different regions, which should enable to realise and/or increase cooperation.
The comprehensive analysis will also involve and integrate all initiatives and developments regarding this subject on a European level.

Action 2 : Defining a contingency plan for flooding for the North Sea Region based on a common approach towards the Chain of Safety in the North Sea Area

Since disasters and flooding do not stop at regional or national borders, more then one region or even more then one country will be involved. Realising this already should be the reason for defining and implementing a common contingency plan for flooding based on the chain of safety methodology. Initiatives on European level, e.g. crisis management arrangements; and the initiative on flood risk management –flood prevention, protection and mitigation- will be involved in this process. The transnational framework for contingency planning, developed within the ESCAPE-project will be the basis for NSR contingency plan. However since the partnership as well as the geographical area covered by Chain of Safety as well as the chosen methodology based on the model the chain of safety this project differs from ESCAPE. The outcomes of the ESCAPE-project can therefore only be seen as a starting point for Chain of Safety. By initiating and establishing a common basis for a contingency planning within the whole North Sea Region will increase the quality and better cooperation within the participating regions. It will also provide efficient and well organized sharing of equipment, recourses, knowledge and experiences. Another area to be covered within this action is transnational communication management and transnational coordination of contingency planning in flooding situations.

Since the activities within action 1 and 2 are additional to each other in time, and deal with the different aspects of defining a framework for a contingency plan for flooding in the North Sea Region, they will be taken care of by one committee.