Strengthening the resilience and modernization of the Operational Communication Center (OCC) 112 is not just a technical issue, but a strategic priority for the state, it was stated at a workshop organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) to mark the European 112 Day.
The Ministry of Interior, with the support of the Technical Assistance Financial Instrument - TAFF and in partnership with the European Union (EU), the World Bank (WB) and the Global Fund for Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery, organized a workshop within the project "Improving Disaster Resilience and Continuity of IT Infrastructure and Services in the 112 Operational Communication Center".
"The key priorities for the coming period when it comes to the work of OKC 112 are strengthening operational coordination, improving infrastructure, technical capacities, and investing in the professional development of employees," it was concluded at the workshop.
State Secretary at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Novica Obradović, announced that this department has a central role in coordinating the response to emergency situations in Montenegro.
"This is a system that is not static and requires constant adaptation to new risks and challenges. Therefore, it is necessary to continue investing in infrastructure, development and retention of professional staff, as well as further harmonization with European standards," Obradović emphasized.
The Director General of the Directorate for Protection and Rescue, Miodrag Bešović, emphasized that the number 112 in Montenegro represents a single national point for receiving emergency calls and is a key part of the protection and rescue system.
"The Directorate for Protection and Rescue has the responsibility to ensure a functional protection and rescue system. The r112 Operational and Communication Center represents its operational heart - a place where information is transformed into decisions, and decisions into concrete actions in the field."
According to him, strengthening the resilience of the 112 system is not just a technical issue, but a strategic priority for the state.
The project, which is implemented through the Technical Assistance Financial Instrument – TAFF, enables Montenegro to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing capacities of the 112 system, identify key needs and define the direction of further development.
Bešović thanked the European Commission and the World Bank for their partnership, emphasizing that the EC, through its policies, represents a promoter of European standards and good practices in the field of emergency communications, while the WB brings global experience in long-term planning of sustainable systems.
The Head of the 112 Operational and Communication Center, Zlatko Mićanović, announced that Montenegro has made significant progress in recent years in establishing the number 112 as a single point of access to all emergency services.
As he stated, OKC 112 works continuously, 24 hours a day, to provide citizens and tourists with timely assistance, with the coordination of the police, protection and rescue services, emergency medical assistance, the Mountain Rescue Service and other competent entities.
Mićanović explained that, in addition to its basic role, OKC 112 has responsibility for coordinating search and rescue operations in the mountains, and also performs the function of the Search and Rescue Coordination Center in the event of aircraft accidents on land.
"Support through TAFF, in partnership with the EU, the World Bank and the Global Fund for Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery, allows us to review existing capacities, identify challenges and define realistic priorities for further development of the system," emphasized Mićanović.
As he added, this cooperation also provides an opportunity for knowledge exchange and harmonization with European and international standards, including the development of a public warning system and preparation for the next generation of 112 systems.
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