Dear readers, before you is the thematic collection of papers titled „Legal and Security Aspects of Risk Management in Natural and Anthropogenic Disasters.“ This collection emerged as a result of independent research activities conducted by professors and researchers. It encompasses twenty-two relevant scientific papers that skillfully and interestingly elaborate on various legal and security aspects of managing natural and anthropogenic disasters. The papers were reviewed by a larger group of reviewers, while the scientific and program committee consisted of more than ten professors from various universities and faculties.

The thematic units of the collection vary, considering the current trends in the development of disaster studies:
a) Legal Aspects of Risk Management in Natural Disasters – legal aspects of managing risks in lithospheric disasters (earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions); legal aspects of managing risks in hydrospheric disasters (floods, torrents, avalanches); legal aspects of managing risks in atmospheric disasters (storms, droughts, extreme temperatures); legal aspects of managing risks in biospheric disasters (epidemics, epizootics, epiphytotics, forest fires);
b) Legal Aspects of Risk Management in Anthropogenic Disasters – legal aspects of managing risks in nuclear and radiological disasters; legal aspects of managing risks in industrial disasters; legal aspects of managing risks in transport and infrastructure disasters; legal aspects of managing risks in disasters caused by hazardous materials; legal aspects of managing risks in disasters caused by war destruction; legal aspects of managing risks in fires; legal aspects of managing risks in disasters caused by the use of weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological terrorism);
c) Security Aspects of Risk Management in Natural Disasters – security aspects of managing risks in lithospheric disasters (earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions) and hydrospheric disasters (floods, torrents, avalanches); security aspects of managing risks in atmospheric disasters (storms, droughts, extreme temperatures); security aspects of managing risks in biospheric disasters (epidemics, epizootics, epiphytotics, forest fires);
d) Security Aspects of Risk Management in Anthropogenic Disasters – security aspects of managing risks in nuclear and radiological disasters; security aspects of managing risks in industrial disasters; security aspects of managing risks in transport and infrastructure disasters; security aspects of managing risks in disasters caused by hazardous materials; security aspects of managing risks in disasters caused by war destruction; security aspects of managing risks in fires; security aspects of managing risks in disasters caused by the use of weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological terrorism).

This collection of papers is intended for those seeking further specialization in disaster studies to enhance their academic work. Given the lack of professional literature in the field of risk management for natural and anthropogenic disasters, the scientific and societal significance of this collection is undoubtedly significant.

In the first paper, „Normative Framework for Crisis Management and the Jurisdiction of Cities and Municipalities in Serbia (1948-2021),“ authored by Jasmina Tanasić, the development of local self-government and crisis management in Serbia is analyzed. This development has followed a similar path since the late 1940s, moving from growing decentralization, which peaked in the mid-1970s and lasted until 1990. The 1990s were characterized by rapid centralization and the loss of municipal authority in crisis management and other public policies. Since 2000, decentralization of local government authorities in crisis management has been reestablished. Recent legal solutions for crisis and emergency management at the local level in Serbia follow the practices of developed countries, but it is questionable how well they are implemented and how feasible they are at the local level, given the current level of support.

In the second paper titled „Legal Regulation of Information Critical Infrastructure Security,“ authors Tatjana Bugarski and Milan Pisarić conclude that network and information systems, as critical information infrastructure, play a significant role in modern society, and their reliability and security are crucial for key social and economic activities. However, their existence and proper functioning face certain security risks in cyberspace, which are increasingly widespread, frequent, and impactful. Therefore, these systems can become targets of cyberattacks, i.e., illegal actions taken to cause damage and/or disrupt their operation. Such incidents can threaten social and economic activities that depend on critical information infrastructure. Hence, it is necessary to pay attention to cybersecurity. At the same time, risk management in cyberspace must be conducted in a way that does not compromise legal certainty. In this sense, the way guidelines for risk assessment in cybersecurity are prescribed is of utmost importance. A good example of regulation is the EU Directive on the Security of Network and Information Systems. The Directive requires certain organizations to take appropriate and proportionate security measures, identify, assess, and consider the risks to cybersecurity they face to prevent disruptions to service delivery and minimize them. The Directive aims to ensure that critical information infrastructure is protected from disruptions that could impact key economic and social activities. The paper analyzes the obligations of protection and information that the Directive on Network and Information Systems Security imposes on digital service providers.

The paper „Decisions of Local Emergency Response Teams Directed at Combating the COVID-19 Epidemic: Penal Aspects,“ authored by Ivan Milić, examines the decisions that certain local governments made to enforce special behavior rules aimed at controlling the COVID-19 epidemic. Local emergency response team decisions impose certain obligations on all or some physical and legal entities, as well as entrepreneurs. For example, these decisions may shorten the operating hours of hospitality establishments, mandate the wearing of protective masks, restrict freedom of movement, and more. Some decisions also prescribe penalties if a specific article of the same decision is violated. However, an important question that will be addressed in the paper concerns the „penal consequences“ if someone acts contrary to the decision of the local emergency response team.

In the paper „Administrative Restrictions on Property Rights in the Case of Natural Disasters,“ author Ratko Radošević highlights that natural disasters can lead to various forms of restrictions on citizens’ property rights regarding both movable and immovable assets. The aim of the paper is to establish the legal regime for restricting property rights in these emergency circumstances and to identify those measures that have an administrative nature—carried out with the use of administrative powers. These measures could conditionally be categorized as expropriation and requisition, as classic forms of administrative restriction on property rights.

The paper „Theoretical and Normative-Legal Definition of Civil Defense and Civil Protection,“ authored by Vladimir Jakovljević, primarily aims to familiarize the broader readership, scientific, and professional public with the concept and essence of civil defense and civil protection, different theoretical and legal approaches, and elaborations (narrower and broader) that contribute to a clear definition of these terms, while pointing out the differences between them and distinguishing them from other similar terms such as civil security, civil emergency planning, and so on. In theoretical analyses and elaborations related to civil defense, the content and scope of this phrase have not yet been clearly distinguished from other similar concepts. Many terms such as civil protection, civil security, economic defense, civilian defense, passive protection, national or alternative defense, and civil emergency planning can be observed. This specific choice of words and terms is usually not accidental. It not only reflects what the authors think and want to say, but very often it also speaks about the state and understanding of social groups that use these terms, as well as the society within which the terms are in circulation.

In the paper „Fraud in the Context of Emergency Management,“ authors Snežana Knežević, Stefan Milojević, Miljan Adamović, and Jovan Travica confirm that fraudulent actions (fraud) are actions of significant weight. To prevent fraud, it is necessary to identify the causes of fraud and develop a plan to prevent them. The potential causes that encourage people to commit fraud are varied. Regardless of cultural differences, traditions, and customs, all cultures treat fraud, bribery, and corruption as prohibited and unethical actions. Emergencies occur unpredictably, leading individuals and organizations to immediately shift their focus to resolving the situation. During pandemics or major natural disasters, there are limitations in the ability to manage the risks of fraudulent activities, which can take various forms and cause significant economic and other consequences. This paper discusses the causes and issues related to the occurrence of fraud specific to emergencies. Various control activities that can be undertaken during an emergency to minimize the risk of fraud will also be addressed.

In the paper „Fraud in Disasters: Financial Aspects,“ authors Snežana Knežević, Marko Špiler, Aleksandra Mitrović, and Marko Milašinović point out that we have all experienced, especially recently, how disasters destroy human lives and property worldwide. This article describes a specific problem that arises mainly in the case of disasters and their recovery. Disaster recovery involves meeting financial needs, both short-term and long-term. The scale of fraud and criminal activities increases during disasters. The problem involves addressing issues related to disasters that can „open pathways“ for supporting money laundering or trigger tax evasion. Additionally, the role of financial forensics will be particularly emphasized.

The paper „The Role of Private Security in Disaster Risk Management,“ authored by Nenad Radivojević, highlights that increasingly frequent and destructive events such as massive and recurring natural disasters, terrorist attacks on critical infrastructure, accidents, technical and technological incidents, and similar events often lead to the declaration of emergency situations. This has led states to reorganize their national security systems, especially systems for disaster risk reduction and emergency management, to respond in a timely and adequate manner to the mentioned threats. This reorganization is centered on activities to establish a legal framework that expands the circle of stakeholders in protection and rescue. One of these stakeholders in society is private security entities. The subject of this paper is an analysis of the positive legal regulations governing the field of private security, protection of critical infrastructure, and disaster risk reduction and emergency management in Serbia. The goal is to assess the current and potential role of private security in disaster risk management.

In the paper „Security Risks from Fires in Correctional Facilities,“ author Dejan Novaković elaborates that securing certain facilities against fire, in this case, correctional institutions as institutions for the execution of criminal sanctions, is based on a security risk assessment of these facilities. This assessment serves as the foundation for determining the objectives, tasks, and stakeholders in protection. To assess the possibility of improving the risk assessment of correctional facilities, this study presents the current state and methods of assessing their vulnerability to fire risks. A questionnaire was created for the purpose of gathering data for a planned empirical study and scientific monograph. The questionnaire was anonymous, and the data were used exclusively for research purposes. Particular attention was paid to the methodology for assessing fire risk and taking measures aimed at eliminating the causes of or minimizing the effects of risky events, as well as measures to ensure minimal losses and mitigate consequences if risky events occur, which together form the basis of fire risk management.

In the paper „Data Sharing in Emergency Situations,“ authors Miljan Adamović, Stefan Milojević, Marko Špiler, and Jovan Travica highlight that data sharing in emergency situations is expected to occur routinely, which implies the possibility of pre-planning. However, this may not always be the case, as emergency situations that could not be anticipated may arise. For example, the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic illustrates the need for coordinated responses from public services, where rapid data sharing has a huge impact on public health and safety. Large-scale natural disasters can devastate countries and endanger thousands of people. In emergencies, activities that save lives and limit the impact of hazards are key, and quick decision-making is crucial. In such cases, a particularly complex issue for various government agencies and organizations is how to react appropriately and decide whether to share information or not. The subject of this paper is the broader context of data sharing in emergency situations.

In the paper „Phenomenological and Etiological Dimensions of Earthquake-Induced Disasters,“ authors Jelena Planić and Vladimir Cvetković conclude that natural disasters have become part of the daily life of modern man, with their occurrence becoming increasingly frequent and intense due to climate change. Earthquakes, due to their unpredictability, represent one of the most terrifying and costly natural disasters. In this paper, the authors, using a literature review, present the basic characteristics of earthquakes as natural disasters, as well as the importance of preparedness in responding to natural disasters. The basic elements of earthquakes, classification, scales for measuring earthquake magnitude, and the consequences they cause are presented. Given that preparedness for disasters at the individual, community, and societal levels is an effective tool in reducing disaster risk and mitigating their consequences, the paper pays special attention to ways to improve preparedness. Using numerous scientific papers, the experiences of many countries are presented, and these examples should be followed to properly design and implement disaster mitigation strategies and public education programs.

The paper „Possibilities of Managing Forest Fire Risks Using Geographic Information Systems,“ authored by Saša Ljubojević, describes the possibilities of applying geographic information systems in managing forest fire risks, with a focus on data collection, analysis of collected data, and predicting high-risk areas. The paper will show how a comprehensive overview of endangered areas, objects, and populations can be achieved, based on which adequate and timely decisions can be made. In addition, the security aspect of the mentioned database will be described, including how it should be managed, who can use the data, and when. The data in this database will clearly show various areas and how large-scale damage can be intentionally caused. Although creating such a comprehensive database, for security reasons, represents a security risk in itself, the need for fire protection outweighs this risk, but it requires strictly controlled risk management.

The paper „Economic Consequences of Natural Disasters,“ authored by Goran Milošević and Luka Čaušić, examines natural disasters (floods, droughts, extreme temperatures, fires, earthquakes) that directly and indirectly affect the level of risk and the security situation of people, animals, material and cultural goods, and the environment. In addition to tragic losses of human lives, disasters also have negative effects on the destruction of material goods and the environment in local, regional, and national communities. The consequences of natural disasters and the factors influencing the perception of citizens in Serbia are analyzed. Depending on the intensity of natural disasters, they can cause negative cyclical oscillations within the economic system of the country, affecting the labor market, financial market, capital market, and all aspects of life and work in society. This can lead to economic imbalance, not only at the microeconomic level where the undesired event occurred but also at the macroeconomic level.

The paper „Integrated Waste Management in the Disaster Risk Reduction System,“ authored by Jovana Martinović, starts from the fact that in Serbia and around the world, unscientific waste management remains a complex and serious environmental problem. The rise of urbanization, industrialization, and the exponential growth of the world population are responsible for generating large amounts of waste materials, which are directly related to land, air, water pollution, and risks to public health and safety. Poor waste management significantly undermines the success of achieving sustainable development goals, highlighting the importance and urgency of transitioning from traditional linear approaches to integrated waste management strategies. Given that solid waste management is a global environmental issue encompassing socio-economic, institutional, political, and ecological aspects, the goal of this study is to describe and analyze different integrated waste management strategies in developed and developing countries, with a special focus on public perception and participation in waste management activities, various challenges and shortcomings faced by solid waste management, and identifying innovative solutions in this field. Although it is difficult to find a good management system that can be applied in all countries, the findings point to the following characteristics of effective and sustainable systems: adaptability to local needs, minimal use of toxic chemicals, resource conservation, waste reduction, use of renewable sources, involvement of the informal sector in waste management activities (including collection, sorting, and recovery of recycled waste), greater technological sophistication and innovation in waste management, continuous research implementation, and clear legal regulation. Considering that no system is efficient enough to solve the waste problem due to excessive production, consumption, and disposal, and that people’s attitudes and practices regarding waste management are determined by education, age, and income levels, it is necessary to raise awareness and conduct continuous public education programs and campaigns on proper waste management at all levels of society. The results of the review paper contribute to the enhancement of the existing knowledge base on various aspects of integrated solid waste management.

The paper „The Role of Multimedia Content in Disaster Education for Youth,“ authored by Ivana Krnjić and Vladimir M. Cvetković, highlights that disaster education is one of the most important prerequisites for improving society’s and citizens’ preparedness for timely and adequate responses to such situations. For this reason, various traditional and innovative ways of educating young people about disasters are used, aiming to improve their resilience to different natural and anthropogenic disasters. Using a literature review, the authors systematically elaborate on the basic characteristics of disaster education and the characteristics and methods of applying multimedia content in such a process. Without neglecting the importance of traditional educational methods, the authors present the basic modalities of acquiring disaster knowledge through school programs, with a focus on safety in school buildings. The results of the review paper show that there is a serious available social and scientific-pragmatic environment for designing and implementing multimedia content in youth disaster education. It is necessary to continue conducting research in this area to improve the understanding of all the advantages and disadvantages of using multimedia for educational purposes.

The paper „Accuracy of Information and Its Precise and Unambiguous Communication to the Public as a Way of Risk Management During the Epidemic (Republic of Serbia During the 2020 State of Emergency),“ authored by Dragana Ćorić, confirms that insufficient knowledge of the subject being reported to the public and the competitiveness in publishing information quickly have repeatedly disturbed the public. Numerous educational efforts for journalists in certain areas they report on, as well as their constant reference to the strict application of journalistic ethics, do not seem to achieve their goal. The need for someone to be the first to publish information has replaced the need for truthful and fact-based news representation. This shift was especially pronounced during the state of emergency in Serbia in 2020, where imprecise and sensationalist reporting of information repeatedly led to public unrest and even violations by citizens due to insufficiently accurate or incorrect information. After providing several examples of both good and bad practices, the paper concludes with a proposal for a unified formula for creating good, truthful news articles, especially in situations of potentially significant public concern.

The paper „Security Protection of the Republic of Serbia in the Context of Natural Disasters,“ authored by Željko V. Lazić and Martin I. Matijašević, identifies natural disasters as specific security phenomena containing a wide range of threats to the security of the Republic of Serbia. Depending on the intensity, spatial distribution, and duration of natural disasters, besides posing threats to people, material goods, and the environment, they also carry risks to the socio-political order. When state authorities, during natural disasters, attempt to adequately organize and manage the protection and rescue system in the affected area, an increase in sociopathological phenomena such as theft, robbery, and violent behavior inevitably occurs. The subject of this paper is the protection of the security of the Republic of Serbia during natural disasters, protection from the direct consequences of natural disasters, and indirect consequences for the existing socio-political order, economic security, and the interests of the Republic of Serbia in the region. The paper provides a typology of security threats during natural disasters.

The paper „Risk of Lithospheric Disasters in the Braničevo District,“ authored by Marija Đurić and Irena Blagajac, focuses on analyzing the risk of lithospheric disasters in the Braničevo District. The task of the research is to analyze earthquake intensity and the presence of landslides and rockfalls in the studied area. The aim of the paper is to determine the level of risk of lithospheric disasters that can endanger the population’s lives and activities in the district. The paper includes a map showing the geographical distribution of landslides and rockfalls in the Braničevo District. Earthquake intensity maps for return periods of 95 and 975 years are also presented for the observed area. The analysis covers population density by settlements in the district, as well as the distribution of agricultural, forested, inhabited, water, and industrial areas. The paper includes cartographic representations of population density and land use. A synthetic map was created through comparative analysis of the mentioned data, showing the spatial overlap of the investigated lithospheric hazards with population density and land use to identify high-risk zones for the population. Based on the synthetic map, a map of high, medium, and low risk of lithospheric disasters and their impact on the population and their activities in the Braničevo District was created. Based on the research, proposals for measures for prevention, preparedness, response to incidents, and recovery from catastrophic consequences for the population, buildings, and economic activities in the Braničevo District are provided.

The paper „Security Aspects of Risk Management in Disasters Caused by Forest Fires,“ authored by Milica Stefanović, highlights that in recent years, there has been a significant risk of forest fires, both globally and in Serbia. In addition to human factors, which are the most common cause, climate change is increasingly contributing to the risk of such emergencies. Under the influence of high temperatures, in recent months, large-scale forest fires have occurred in Turkey, Greece, the United States, and Serbia. A particular problem arises when a fire is caused by human factors, and unfavorable climatic conditions lead to its uncontrolled spread. If not promptly addressed, forest fires can spread significantly, causing environmental destruction, as well as endangering human lives and property. During such events, weather conditions that can contribute to the further spread of danger (wind, high temperatures, dry weather, etc.) are of particular importance. Various studies predict an increase in global temperatures in the coming decades. Given that the solution to climate change and rising global temperatures is a process that requires time, it is necessary to work on prevention and strengthening response capacity for emergencies. It is also important to organize training and educational programs to raise public awareness of the consequences of irresponsible behavior that can lead to forest fires.

The paper „Risk Communication in Disasters,“ authored by Marko Radovanović and Vladimir M. Cvetković, concludes that risk communication in disasters is one of the foundations of successful disaster management, reflected in reducing the devastating impacts of disaster hazards on human lives and property by providing timely critical information to affected communities. An underdeveloped system for identifying, analyzing, and sharing disaster risk information leads to poor management in all phases of disasters (mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery). In each of these phases, there are clear requirements for specific information that enables efficient decision-making. The exchange of disaster risk information is influenced by many factors, such as the degree of scientific and technological development, demographic, sociological, and psychological environments, and the characteristics of natural and anthropogenic hazards. Recognizing the undeniable importance of disaster risk information, the authors in the review paper identify, analyze, and systematize relevant aspects of the phenomenological dimensions of disaster risk communication. Special attention is given to a comprehensive overview of sources, actors, and communication channels, with a focus on innovative solutions and communication strategies in responding to natural and anthropogenic disaster risks.

The paper „Specific Ethical Aspects of Triage in Providing First Aid in Mass Casualty Situations,“ authored by Srđan Nikolovski, highlights that disasters that affect human populations increase the risk of overburdening first aid services with the number of victims and the severity of their injuries and other medical emergencies. In such cases, even medically untrained individuals may find themselves in situations where they need to provide necessary medical assistance before emergency medical teams arrive. The constant balancing between deontology and utilitarianism is a daily occurrence in medical practice, which intensifies in emergency medical situations and events where saving lives takes precedence. Although there may be certain mitigating circumstances, most are highly challenging and place those tasked with providing basic life support in stressful positions where composure is crucial. The subject of this paper is to highlight specific ethical aspects of the triage process in providing first aid to disaster victims. Ethics explain several situations related to the selection of patients who should receive medical assistance, as well as the measures to be applied. The main goal of these illustrative situations is to determine which ethical approach should be applied to save as many lives as possible while ensuring that no victims are neglected. Due to the presence of time as a limiting factor, the application of triage principles and the elimination of any form of confusion is the most effective way to provide emergency assistance to all disaster victims, both by non-medical and medical personnel.

The paper „Citizens’ Perception of the Application of Intelligent Information Systems in Emergency Management,“ authored by Vojkan Nikolić, Predrag Milošević, and Nikola Krunić, concludes that intelligent systems are an essential element in achieving goals in various areas of human work and behavior, including national security. By using computer systems and their applications in operational and management areas, competitive advantages are created, and knowledge-based information exchange is ensured. In the field of emergency management, the speed of response to threats is particularly important. Thanks to the computerized processing of data, the management system can almost always know where problems and risks arise and what the necessary response to all challenges and risks should be.

On behalf of the authors, I express gratitude to those who contributed the most to the publication of this collection of papers, such as the Scientific-Professional Society for Risk Management in Emergency Situations and the International Institute for Disaster Research as publishers, as well as to the reviewers who patiently and thoroughly reviewed and improved all the scientific papers. I also express gratitude to the collaborators of the Scientific-Professional Society for Risk Management in Emergency Situations and the International Institute for Disaster Research, including Ana Đergović, Tamara Ivković, Tamara Mančić, Martin Matijašević, Steva Miletić, Nemanja Miljković, Jelena Planić, Zoran Planojević, Sofija Radojković, and Milica Stefanović.