PSI - Issue 78

Matjaž Dolšek et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 78 (2026) 1569 – 1576

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Fig. 2. Identification of the pilot areas for the application of the methodology For areas encompassing multiple municipalities, the risk assessment and loss estimation for residential buildings and population (as of Step 1 and part of Step 3 of the methodology) will be carried out for the whole pilot area. However, the functional assessment of EMS units (part of Step 3 and Step 4) will be performed focusing on the areas in which the most severe consequences are observed (risk-based hotspots), potentially including adjacent municipalities. This focused approach is necessary to ensure the feasibility of the analysis within the available resources of the project. Applying the methodology to real case studies will support the validation of the proposed framework and highlight its practical value in emergency preparedness and planning. Moreover, the development of a user-friendly web platform aims to facilitate the operational use of the results by local authorities and civil protection operators. 5. Conclusions The BORIS2 methodology will offer an innovative, multi-scale approach for assessing earthquake, flood, and compound disaster risks in cross-border regions, with a particular focus on evaluating the performance of Emergency Management Systems. Its structured four-step framework integrates broad-scale loss estimation (STEP 3) with municipal-level simulations of Emergency Response Systems (STEP 4), including non-building-type EMS units. A key novelty lies in the ability to simulate both regional consequences and localized emergency responses, providing decision-makers with actionable insights for preparedness planning. The methodology also connects the strategic and operational levels by linking general risk hotspots, based on time-based risk assessment (STEP 1), to scenario-based hotspots specific to the analyzed hazard scenarios, allowing for flexible adaptation across diverse administrative and spatial contexts. The methodology includes simplifying assumptions, such as road network modelling, which are constrained by current data and project resources. Uncertainty propagation across the steps was intentionally limited to maintain clarity and usability, although the framework supports future incorporation of sub-scenarios to address uncertainties. While BORIS2 works well for large areas, improving its accuracy will require better EMS modelling, more detailed infrastructure data, and a clearer approach to handling uncertainty. Scaling the methodology to the European level will also demand harmonized data standards and cross-border cooperation to ensure methodological consistency and interoperability in emergency preparedness planning. Over the next few months, the methodology will be fully implemented in three pilot case studies focusing on the ITA-SLO and AUT-SLO cross-border regions. Acknowledgements This contribution was performed in the framework of EU project “BORIS2 - Cross Border RISk assessment for increased prevention and preparedness in Europe: way forward” co -funded by the European Union Civil Protection UCPM-2023-KAPP-PV Grant Agreement nr: 101140181.