Tirana Prefect studies California emergency management models

Shkëlqim Hajdari, the Prefect of Tirana County, conducted a series of meetings in Santa Barbara, California, to study American models for emergency management and public safety.

Hajdari met with Stacy Silva, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Emergency Operations Center (EOC), to discuss inter-institutional coordination and response protocols for emergencies such as fires, floods, earthquakes, and landslides. Based on these observations, Hajdari announced plans to establish a digital coordination office for the Civil Emergency Committee near the Tirana Prefecture. This new structure aims to implement US-style protocols and regulations to increase efficiency in protecting lives, property, and public security.

Additionally, Hajdari met with Sheriff Bill Brown and leaders of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. The discussions focused on the legal frameworks, organizational hierarchies, and duties of US law enforcement agencies, as well as how these functions compare to the role of the Prefect in Albania regarding public order and coordination between central and local institutions. Hajdari extended an invitation to Sheriff Brown to visit Albania.