Practicum “Risk Management and Disaster Protection and Rescue Systems” is intended for undergraduate and master’s students at the Faculty of Security Studies, University of Belgrade, the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies, and other faculties, to introduce them to the academic discipline of disaster studies. The practicum is based on years of experience that the author has gained working with students from the mentioned faculties. It is designed for the implementation of theoretical and practical exercises for students, aiming to facilitate the learning process of topics related to risk management and disaster protection and rescue systems.

Starting from the multidisciplinary nature of the subject matter, the practicum consists of numerous theoretical exercises that direct students to the most important segments of the material, motivating them to engage in class activities during the planned exercises. The practicum covers the following teaching topics:

I – Disasters and Hazards: Theories, Concepts, and Methods; II – Vulnerability, Resilience, and Disaster Research Methods; III – Disaster Risk: Assessment Methodology and Protection and Rescue Plans; IV – National and International Legal Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction; V – Preparedness and Mitigation of Disaster Risks; VI – Disaster Protection and Rescue Systems: Response and Recovery; VII – Information Systems for Disaster Risk Management Support and International Cooperation.

Each section consists of several exercises, where students are first given an introductory discussion, followed by tasks for the exercises, discussion questions, and recommended literature. The practicum incorporates the latest literature in disaster studies. The author expresses special gratitude to the reviewers, Prof. Dr. Vladimir Jakovljević, Prof. Dr. Slavoljub Dragićević, and Prof. Dr. Dragan Mlađan, whose expert suggestions significantly improved the practicum. Special thanks are also due to the editor, Prof. Dr. Boban Milojković, for his years of support and guidance in enhancing the academic discipline of disaster studies.

In the first part of the practicum, which deals with “Disasters and Hazards: Theories, Concepts, and Methods,” students are introduced to theoretical content in the following areas: the definition and classification of disasters; natural and technological disasters; and disaster management. Through the realization of exercises on the mentioned topics, students acquire basic knowledge in understanding the phenomenology of natural and technological disasters, theoretical approaches to disaster studies, relevant paradigms, the evolution of theoretical definitions of disasters, and other related concepts, as well as integrated disaster management.

Building on the theoretical elaborations of the phenomenological dimensions of disasters and hazards, the second part of the practicum focuses on “Vulnerability, Resilience, and Disaster Research Methods.” In this section, students acquire the necessary knowledge regarding the concepts of vulnerability and resilience to disasters, as well as disaster research methods. These thematic areas are aimed at describing the multidimensional nature of the vulnerability of people, local communities, and critical infrastructure, the application of the concept of resilience to enhance the safety of people and their property, the evolution of disaster studies, and the improvement of disaster research methods within the frameworks of quantitative and qualitative research traditions.

Starting from the importance of proactive actions by people to mitigate the future consequences of disasters, the third part focuses on “Disaster Risk: Assessment Methodology and Protection and Rescue Plans” and includes exercises related to: the concept and perception of disaster risk; disaster risk management and risk assessment methodology; and disaster protection and rescue plans. The mentioned teaching content enables students to understand the theoretical definition and characteristics of risk, comprehend the phases of risk management, as well as the methodology of risk assessment and the creation of protection and rescue plans.

In a large number of laws and by-laws, the area of disaster risk reduction is regulated. Knowledge of these laws is a prerequisite for successful disaster risk management. In the fourth part of the practicum, “National and International Legal Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction,” students gain knowledge from thematic units related to the international and national legal frameworks for disaster risk reduction, as well as by-laws that further regulate the prescribed issues. In the theoretical exercises that cover the legal framework and disasters, students gain knowledge regarding the provisions of the most significant international and national regulations governing preventive and repressive activities of the protection and rescue system.

In the fifth part, which deals with “Preparedness and Mitigation of Disaster Risks,” and the sixth part, “Disaster Protection and Rescue Systems: Response and Recovery,” students acquire the necessary knowledge from thematic units related to: preparedness for natural and technological disasters; mitigation of natural and technological disasters; disaster protection and rescue systems; and recovery from the consequences of natural and technological disasters. After completing the mentioned theoretical exercises, students improve their essential knowledge regarding the complex nature of preparation activities of various entities and protection and rescue forces, as well as the measures and actions undertaken during or after disasters to protect and save human lives and health.

In the last part of the practicum, “Information Systems for Disaster Management Support and International Cooperation,” topics such as disaster risk databases, geographic information systems, disaster risk reduction, and international cooperation for providing necessary humanitarian aid are discussed. Students gain knowledge about different information technologies and databases used in the planning and response processes in disaster situations.

Considering the tasks that students will perform after completing the mentioned faculties, the practicum is structured into the presented thematic units with the aim of facilitating the understanding of the material in a simple and efficient way through active participation in the learning process. Certainly, the requirements for passing the exam include correctly completed exercises from the practicum and active participation in answering the discussion questions. The instructor confirms that all exercises in the practicum are completed with their signature. Participation in and completion of theoretical and practical exercises require possession of the practicum, a notebook for notes, and the prescribed literature. Attendance at lectures and exercises is mandatory, but justified absences can be made up.

Reference: Cvetković, V. (2019). Risk Management and Disaster Protection and Rescue Systems. Belgrade: Scientific-Professional Society for Disaster Risk Management.