On February 25, IT system ISOK for protection against extraordinary hazards has been inaugurated. This is one of the most important projects implemented in recent years to increase Poland’s security against natural hazards. The system is available at the following address www.isok.gov.pl.
The ISOK system is a comprehensive tool for protection against dangerous hazards in particular meteorological and hydrological ones. Thanks to modern data acquisition technologies, the use of special mathematical models and hazard maps, allows the risk to be predicted in good time, assess its scale and take specific measures to minimise the risks and losses associated with the extraordinary events.
–This is a breakthrough moment for the water management in Poland. ISOK takes us into the 21st century- said Przemysław Daca. President of Polish Waters also added, that thanks to ISOK we have a consolidated source of information about threats in a professional and advanced IT tool.
– It is an open system , which can be extended with new functions, depending on future needs. An important element of this is the rapid communication of threats. Everyone will be able to register in system and receive SMS messages about weather dangers. ISOK puts Poland among the countriesthat care about the safety of their citizens in an effective and modern way- added Przemysław Daca.
ISOK is not only an important element supporting crisis management throughout the country. IT is also a tool dedicated to institutions responsible for the protection of flood-prone areas. The system will be used by communes and voivodeship authotities during work on spatial development plans and by ordinary citizens. With access to the internet, every person can use ISOK to check whether they live in a flood-prone area and to obtain the most up-to date data on phenomena that may affect a specific area. This type of information i also important for entrepreneurs planning to develop investments in a given region.
In addition ISOK introduces a number of modern tools that will improve water management. Using a special platform, it will be possible, for example, to submit applications electronically e.g. for the issue of water law permits.
Dr Przemysław Ligenza, General Director of the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management, said that ISOK will increase the safety of our country’s inhabitants. Rapid and comprehensive information is crucial to countreacting the effects of natural disasters. ISOK provides a platform to support the work of emergency response services at national, regional and local level. IT solutions will help in effective crisis prevention, preparation to take control of crisis situations through planned actions, warning and response in case of their occurrence – said dr Przemysław Ligenza.
The inauguration of the system on February 25 was accompanied by a nationwide ISOK conference- safe society, environment and economy. Over 270 people, including representatives of government and local administration, crisis services and experts from all over the country discussed the role of the ISOK system in anti-crisis actions.
The ISOK system has been developed within the framework of the project,, IT System for protecting the country against extraordinary hazards” implemented from 2013 and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund within the framework of the Operational Programme Innovative Economy and the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management. The total value of the project amounted the almost 300 m PLN. The consortium responsible for the project consisted of governmental and scientific institutions: Państwowe Gospodarstwo Wodne Wody Polskie (leader) Instytut Meteorologii i Gospodarki Wodnej – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, Główny Urząd Geodezji i Kartografii, Instytut Łączności – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, Rządowe Centrum Bezpieczeństwa.
The system is available at the following address www.isok.gov.pl
