364
Act LXXIV of 1999 on Disaster Management (direction and structure of protection
against disasters and the protection against major accidents involving hazardous
materials);
Within the system of civil protection planning, the ‘Decree of the Minister of the
Interior No. 20/1998. (IV. 10.) on the System and Requirements of Civil
Protection Planning’ classifi es the types of hazards that necessitate planning;
Due to climate change caused by global warming, extreme weather incidents
have occurred in Hungary with increasing frequency; summer heatwaves, lasting
for several weeks, are particularly stressful for the population. In Hungary, disaster
management is conducted within a strict legal framework; the tasks of local authorities are specifi ed in Act CXXVIII of 2011 on Disaster Management and Amending
Certain Related Acts.
The steps for preparing for longer heatwaves, along with special points for consideration, will be detailed below. The European Commission Green Paper, June
2007, draws attention to, among other things, the dangers posed by heat to human
health; thus, it is extremely important to prepare an action plan to protect the population during heat alerts.
There are several groups within the population of Hungary that are especially at
risk. The age distribution of the population categorizes Hungary as an ageing society. A signifi cant proportion of people performing manual labour are outdoors in the
summer during heatwaves, for extended periods of time or all of the time. Summer
is also the period for open air events, with cultural and sports events attracting large
numbers of participants. Special attention must be paid to minimizing health risks
for participants in these programs. Employers must seek to protect the health of
employees working outdoors; during heatwaves, they must provide for their
employees ample drinking water, periods of rest in shady areas, appropriate working clothes and protective gear.
From the point of view of the environment and of environmental health, special
consideration must be given to those utilities and public services that infl uence positively or negatively the quality of life of the population, as well as the quality of the
environment, during heatwaves.
Special protection must be provided for the drinking water infrastructure, particularly strategic reservoirs and water mains, which are maintained by water utilities to provide high-quality drinking water for the population.
In the event of disruptions to electricity service during heatwaves, all customers
can be provided with electricity with blackouts averaging 2–3 h. During longer
heatwaves, energy demands may increase, which might require the imposition of
limitations on consumption.
Since Hungary is a country along major transit routes, dangers affecting branches
of transportation during heatwaves must also be taken into account. A relatively
minor disruption in railway services might cause serious delays. In extensive heat,
rail lines can be deformed; overhead wires and pylons can be damaged. During a
temporary suspension of railway services, railway stations must offer shelter for
railway passengers until such time as they can continue their journeys. While these
passengers remain stranded, their basic needs must be addressed.
G. Baranka et al.
Act LXXIV of 1999 on Disaster Management (direction and structure of protection
against disasters and the protection against major accidents involving hazardous
materials);
Within the system of civil protection planning, the ‘Decree of the Minister of the
Interior No. 20/1998. (IV. 10.) on the System and Requirements of Civil
Protection Planning’ classifi es the types of hazards that necessitate planning;
Due to climate change caused by global warming, extreme weather incidents
have occurred in Hungary with increasing frequency; summer heatwaves, lasting
for several weeks, are particularly stressful for the population. In Hungary, disaster
management is conducted within a strict legal framework; the tasks of local authorities are specifi ed in Act CXXVIII of 2011 on Disaster Management and Amending
Certain Related Acts.
The steps for preparing for longer heatwaves, along with special points for consideration, will be detailed below. The European Commission Green Paper, June
2007, draws attention to, among other things, the dangers posed by heat to human
health; thus, it is extremely important to prepare an action plan to protect the population during heat alerts.
There are several groups within the population of Hungary that are especially at
risk. The age distribution of the population categorizes Hungary as an ageing society. A signifi cant proportion of people performing manual labour are outdoors in the
summer during heatwaves, for extended periods of time or all of the time. Summer
is also the period for open air events, with cultural and sports events attracting large
numbers of participants. Special attention must be paid to minimizing health risks
for participants in these programs. Employers must seek to protect the health of
employees working outdoors; during heatwaves, they must provide for their
employees ample drinking water, periods of rest in shady areas, appropriate working clothes and protective gear.
From the point of view of the environment and of environmental health, special
consideration must be given to those utilities and public services that infl uence positively or negatively the quality of life of the population, as well as the quality of the
environment, during heatwaves.
Special protection must be provided for the drinking water infrastructure, particularly strategic reservoirs and water mains, which are maintained by water utilities to provide high-quality drinking water for the population.
In the event of disruptions to electricity service during heatwaves, all customers
can be provided with electricity with blackouts averaging 2–3 h. During longer
heatwaves, energy demands may increase, which might require the imposition of
limitations on consumption.
Since Hungary is a country along major transit routes, dangers affecting branches
of transportation during heatwaves must also be taken into account. A relatively
minor disruption in railway services might cause serious delays. In extensive heat,
rail lines can be deformed; overhead wires and pylons can be damaged. During a
temporary suspension of railway services, railway stations must offer shelter for
railway passengers until such time as they can continue their journeys. While these
passengers remain stranded, their basic needs must be addressed.
G. Baranka et al.