Multi-Layered Safety Approach
As a result of climate change, areas in the North Sea Region (NSR) will increasingly face the threat of flooding. In the past, the focus was primarily on structural and static solutions to defend against such events. However, it is now recognized that protection alone is insufficient to ensure that these areas become flood resilient. Instead, a more comprehensive and adaptive strategy is required.
Therefore, the Multi-Layered Safety (MLS) approach was created. The MLS approach is a comprehensive strategy for managing flood risks by using multiple layers of protection. By integrating various methods, communities can better prepare for and respond to flooding events, thereby enhancing overall resilience. In NSR projects such as FRAMES the MLS approach was elaborated. The Multi-Layered Safety approach is based on four layers:
- Protection
- Sustainable spatial planning
- Disaster management
- Resilient recovery
Incorporating the principles of the MLS approach, the FIER project (Flooding, Infrastructure, Evacuation, and Resilience) seeks to address the pressing challenges posed by flooding in the North Sea Region. FIER primarily focuses on the third and fourth layers: Disaster management and Resilient recovery. This establishes the basis for effective crisis management by adhering to the framework of prepare, respond and recover. The core focus of FIER. It further emphasizes not only the protection of critical infrastructure but also the need for community engagement, emergency preparedness, and long-term resilience planning.
By embracing the prepare, respond, recover framework participating regions aim to see a significant boost in societal resilience and enhanced flood management capability.