- The energy company and Italy’s national fire department sign a memorandum of understanding that further develops joint activities and actions to protect operators working in the field
Rome, January 4th, 2022 – Head of Enel Italia Nicola Lanzetta and the Head of Italy’s Department of Fire, Public Rescue and Civil Defense Laura Lega have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening collaboration to protect the safety of front-line operators and improve operations in their respective spheres of competence.
The aim of the agreement is to work in areas of common interest in which joint action plans can be developed to better prevent and manage emergency situations, potential risk scenarios and possible natural disasters. The collaborative approach will characterize every aspect of the agreement, from the planning of the actions to be undertaken and their implementation, to the dissemination of good sharing practices implemented by the two parties. In addition to the study and implementation of shared activities, the Protocol places particular emphasis on safety training in relation to electrical risk, in the awareness that the safeguarding of the country must always be accompanied by the protection of operators: a commitment that is in line with the joint exercises already carried out in recent years on how to operate in the vicinity of infrastructure elements and power lines, and which in the agreement finds further strength with new in-depth activities.
Specifically, the areas of common interest identified by the Protocol concern the optimization of procedures and communication in both ordinary and emergency conditions, the definition of guidelines for work on wind farms, the development of energy efficiency and electric mobility solutions for Fire Brigade headquarters throughout Italy, coordination in the movement of vehicles and personnel during natural disasters, synergy in the prevention of forest fires, planning of training activities and exercises, strengthening relations between Enel and the regional branches of the Department and coordination of information flows.
“With this Protocol, we further consolidate a partnership that focuses on safeguarding the country and protecting those who work to defend it every day,” said Head of Enel Italia, Nicola Lanzetta. “Closer coordination with Italy’s Fire and Rescue Service will make it possible to provide even faster and more effective responses, turning their widespread presence throughout Italy and proximity to local communities and their needs into decisive factors.”
“The framework outlined in the PNRR, aims to enhance and increase our country’s electricity infrastructure in favor of decarbonization and the renewal of vehicle fleets,” commented the Head of the Department of Fire Brigades, Public Rescue and Civil Defense, Laura Lega. “Such an ambitious project requires the participation not only of public players but also of major private entities, and the agreement being signed here is part of an important segment in which the coordination and sharing of information and procedures will certainly integrate an ever-increasing functional awareness in order to achieve the best levels of effectiveness and efficiency, from the planning and preparation phases to the response and recovery.”
Enel is a multinational power company and a leading integrated player in the global power and renewables markets. It is the largest European utility by ordinary EBITDA, and is present in over 30 countries worldwide, producing energy with around 90 GW of installed capacity. Enel distributes electricity through a network of over 2.2 million kilometers, and with around 75 million end users is the 1st network operator globally1.
1Publicly owned operators not included.
Fire and Rescue Service
The National Fire and Rescue Service, within Italy’s Ministry of the Interior - Department of Fire Brigades, Public Rescue and Civil Defense, ensures the performance of a plurality of tasks in the field of technical rescue and provides for the performance of the functions of fire prevention and fire surveillance. As a fundamental component of Italy’s National Civil Protection Service, the National Fire and Rescue Service ensures, on the occasion of calamitous events, the unpostponable and urgent technical rescue and search and rescue operations, assuming the direction and responsibility in the immediacy of the events. The National Fire and Rescue Service is also an integral part of Italy’s national defense system and is called upon to ensure the continuity of government action and the protection of the population in situations of serious or extensive crisis.