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This exercise aimed to enhance the preparedness and prevention strategies related to seismic events in Lombardy.

July 17, 2026Applied Sciences0 citationsOpen Access

Design, Implementation and Lessons Learned from EXE.LOMB.EST 2023: A Regional Seismic Civil Protection Technical Thematic Exercise in Lombardy (Italy)

GFGiulia FagàEuropean Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering DVDomenico De VitaLombardia Informatica (Italy)EBEmanuele BrunesiEuropean Centre for Training and Research in Earthquake Engineering

Key Points

This exercise aimed to enhance the preparedness and prevention strategies related to seismic events in Lombardy.
Conducted a regional seismic emergency exercise called EXE.LOMB.EST 2023 over 2023.
Involved approximately 12 training sessions prior to the final event.
Participated 15 municipalities and various emergency management groups in a simulated emergency management program.
Successfully tested emergency response capabilities among participants.
Identified gaps and issues in the current framework for emergency management in Italy.
Refined advanced emergency management technologies and systems during the exercise.

Abstract

The Lombardy Region is characterised by relatively moderate seismic activity, particularly in the Alpine area and its western sector. Significant damage has instead been caused by historical earthquakes with magnitudes greater than MW 5.0 in the eastern and south-western parts of the region. To enhance preparedness and prevention strategies, the Civil Protection Organisational Unit of Regione Lombardia, together with the Eucentre Foundation and the Civil Protection School of Lombardy (PoliS-Lombardia), organised a regional seismic emergency exercise, the so-called EXE.LOMB.EST 2023, which is an initiative aimed to test and train emergency response capabilities in parts of the region most at risk from seismic events. EXE.LOMB.EST 2023 was a civil protection technical–thematic exercise that involved various groups of participants through tailored training paths. With both educational and practical objectives, the exercise was developed over the course of 2023. In the six months leading up to the final event, approximately 12 training sessions were held to prepare participants according to the identified themes. The final field exercise took place from 9–14 October 2023, during the Italian Civil Protection Week, and included the participation of 15 municipalities. The programme was designed to simulate all key phases of regional emergency management, from activating support functions to assessing damage to cultural heritage. Participants included the Italian Civil Protection Department—as an advisor—the Italian Fire Department; UAS networks, the prefectures and provinces of Brescia, Cremona, and Mantua; municipal officials and certified structural damage assessment experts, with the latter sometimes simply identified as technical personnel and/or technical experts in what follows. The exercise was also a valuable opportunity to test and refine the most advanced emergency management technologies and systems in Italy. The paper discusses notable outcomes, in addition to key steps, and also highlights gaps and issues still open for further/future developments of similar exercises in Italy and abroad.

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