Analysis of disaster management structures and cross- border collaboration in the Benelux and its bordering countries Maastricht Graduate School of Governance Tobias Becking Student ID: I6080319 Supervisor: Marian Ramakers- van Kuijk, MCDM Second Reader: Dr. Lutz Krebs Placement Institution: EMRIC Office; Prins Bisschopsingel 53 Maastricht Maastricht, 14.08.2017 Declaration of Academic Integrity 2 Abstract Background: In modern society, the number of disasters are increasing and the demand is often exceeding the capacity of the affected community´s emergency system. Moreover, disasters do not stop at borders and might have a cross-border impact. The level of preparedness or the capacity to cope with the adverse effects of a disaster is largely related to the responsibilities of the emergency system. Consequently, there is a need for cross-border collaboration. As this is a concern within the Benelux Union, research was needed on the disaster management systems of the neighbouring countries to extend the collaboration. Therefore, the study contributes data regarding the differences in the systems and existing stated in the Benelux contract in 2008. Objective: This study aims to analyse disaster management structures in the BENELUX- region and its neighbouring countries, to identify similarities and differences, which could affect cross-border collaboration. This study does this by identifying existing cooperation forms and existing barriers in the study region. Furthermore, it will be assessed what impact the five strategies on the future of the EU could have on cross-border cooperation in the field of disaster management. Method: A multi-method approach is used to answer the research questions. A narrative literature review was conducted comprising of a review of different laws, regulations, policies and possible existing agreements, to determine the state of affairs of disaster management structures. To gather more in depth information about existing cooperation and barriers to cooperation, face-to-face semi structured interviews, telephone and e-mail interviews were conducted. As the study is a collaboration with another author, the study region was split up. This study focuses on the four German States: Lower Saxony, North-Rhine Westphalia, Saarland and Rhineland-Palatinate. Results and Discussion: Between the countries, differences among the disaster management structures and administrative organisations could be identified. Collaboration exists on state and regional level in different forms. Several agreements were signed with the neighbouring countries on different administrative levels to facilitate cross-border collaboration. However, obstacles to cross-border collaboration exist due to differences in disaster management and administrative structures. Another obstacle which was identified is a low priority for cross- border collaboration in some regions, because stakeholders are not interested or there is no specific need for assistance from the neighbouring country. The role of the European Union was described as important, as long as legal competences remain with the respective countries. 3 Table of Contents 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 8 1.1 Research Setting .............................................................................................................10 1.3 Research relevance .........................................................................................................12 1.4 Research goals and questions ..........................................................................................13 2. Theoretical Concept........................................................................................................13 2.1 Theory ............................................................................................................................14 2.2 Conceptual Model...........................................................................................................14 3. Research Methods...........................................................................................................16 3.1 Research Design .............................................................................................................16 3.2 Data Collection ...............................................................................................................17 3.2.1 Literature Review .....................................................................................................17 3.2.2 Benelux Questionnaire in NRW .................................................................................18 3.2.3 Semi-structured Interviews .......................................................................................18 3.3 Data Analysis .................................................................................................................21 3.3.1 Literature Review .....................................................................................................21 3.3.2 Semi-Structured Interviews .......................................................................................21 3.4 Validity and Reliability ...................................................................................................21 4. Result...............................................................................................................................22 4.1 National Disaster Management Structure ........................................................................22 4.2 North Rhine Westphalia ..................................................................................................24 4.2.1 Legal Basis ...............................................................................................................25 4.2.3 Functioning ..............................................................................................................26 4.3 Lower Saxony.................................................................................................................28 4.3.1 Legal Basis ...............................................................................................................29 4.3.2 Functioning ..............................................................................................................30 4.4 Rhineland-Palatinate .......................................................................................................32 4.4.1 Legal Basis ...............................................................................................................34 4.4.2 Functioning ..............................................................................................................35 4.5 Saarland ..........................................................................................................................37 4.5.1 Legal Basis ...............................................................................................................38 4.5.2 Functioning ..............................................................................................................39 4.6 Cross-Border Cooperation ..............................................................................................41 4.6.1Lower Saxony- Dutch Border.....................................................................................41 4.6.2 North-Rhine-Westphalian -Dutchand Belgian Border ...............................................43 4.6.4 Rhineland-Palatinate-Belgium Border- Luxembourgish Border- French Border .......45 4.6.5 Saarland-Luxembourg Border-France Border ..........................................................48 4.7 Obstacles for Cross-Border Cooperation .........................................................................50 4.8. Future of Cross-Border Collaboration ............................................................................54 4.8.1 Impact of EU ............................................................................................................54 4.8.2 Impact of five Eu Strategies ......................................................................................56 5. Discussion ........................................................................................................................57 4 6. Conclusion and Recommendations ................................................................................64 4.References ........................................................................................................................67 Appendix A: Tables and Figures ...........................................................................................76 Appendix B: Coding Tree .....................................................................................................85 Appendix C: Interviews ........................................................................................................90 Appendix D: Notes from Telephone Interview with regional experts .................................. 133 5 List of Figures Figure 1: Administrative Structure Germany (Becking, 2017)...............................................11 Figure 2: The Resource Dependence Institutional Cooperation (RDIC) (Rijk et al., 2007) ...14 Figure 3: The cooperation Circle adapted from the RDIC-Model(Rijk et al., 2007) ...............15 Figure 4: Visualization of crisis management structure in Germany (Bundesministerium des Inneren, 2015) ................................................................................................................24