The French Vigilance System. Contributing to the Reduction of Disaster Risks in France

摘要: Managing natural risks has been a major concern for France ever since the 1950s. The relevant mechanism, which initially focused on operational response on-site then prevention, relied specific weather forecasts tailored to needs of each user. Following storms December 1999 whose severe impact could have lessened by provision better information public, it was decided introduce new mechanism that utilized common language – four-colour scheme reflecting different risk levels. This would be applied at scale French departement, administrative division national territory is best suited planning and crisis management. It also 24-hour time frame combined satisfactory forecasting reliability with sufficient advance warning action.