Pubblica Assistenza Società Riunite Pisa

Pubblica Assistenza Società Riunite Pisa (also known as Pubblica Assistenza S.R. Pisa ODV) is a voluntary association based in Pisa, Tuscany, Italy. Founded on 30 September 1886, it emerged from the need for a dedicated public assistance body following the 1884 cholera epidemic, when the Fratellanza Militare di Pisa had provided relief. The association became fully independent in 1891 and merged with the Croce Bianca in 1909 to form the current entity. It is part of the ANPAS network (Associazione Nazionale Pubbliche Assistenze) and operates as an ODV (Organizzazione di Volontariato), a recognised voluntary organisation under Italian law. The association's activities are wide-ranging. Its core services include emergency medical response (NUE 112), ordinary medical transport, blood donation drives, civil protection and anti-fire forest firefighting (AIB), social assistance for the elderly and disabled, and funeral services (onoranze funebri). It also runs walking groups, medical clinics, and training courses for the use of AEDs (automated external defibrillators). The organisation is structured with a central headquarters in Via Italo Bargagna 2, near Cisanello Hospital, and several local sections across the municipalities of Pisa, San Giuliano Terme, and Vecchiano. Over its long history, the association has been involved in major relief efforts, including the 1908 Messina earthquake, the 1951 Polesine flood, and various local emergencies. It was dissolved by the fascist regime in 1933 and re-established in 1945. In recent decades, it has expanded its network of sections and services, opening new facilities such as the Migliarino Pisano outpatient centre in 2017. The association relies on volunteers, donations (including 5×1000), and public conventions to sustain its operations. It remains a key provider of social and health-related services in the Pisa area.

The Pubblica Assistenza Società Riunite di Pisa was founded on 30 September 1886, following the 1884 cholera epidemic in which the Fratellanza Militare di Pisa, a mutual aid society for military members, had assisted affected citizens. The need for a dedicated public assistance body led to the creation of a Compagnia di Pubblica Assistenza, which took about six years to become independent from the Fratellanza Militare. In 1887, it took over the activities and equipment of the Società di Soccorso degli Asfittici, founded in 1878 but effectively closed, which had been involved in sea and river rescue, including in the Arno river. This acquisition provided sufficient resources to start operations and claim independence. By 1889, the association's activities had become significant enough that the prefect convened a meeting with the Misericordia di Pisa to agree on the division of tasks. On 21 January 1891, the Pubblica Assistenza achieved full autonomy from the Fratellanza Militare, also incorporating men and resources from the Società Pisana per la Cremazione dei Cadaveri. In 1894, some former members of the Misericordia di Pisa founded the Croce Bianca in Pisa, aimed at assisting the sick at home, transporting the injured and sick to hospitals, providing subsidies to needy members in case of illness, performing funeral honours, and transporting corpses. Within a few years, the Croce Bianca's activities flourished, with over 7,000 services performed in 1897 and a clinic open even at night. Volunteers from the Croce Bianca also participated in the 1908 Messina earthquake relief and in the Vesuvian municipalities. In 1908, a new statute was discussed and approved, allowing the Pubblica Assistenza to open branches, regulating social roles, paid staff, and introducing squad leaders and an additional dentist alongside the two doctors. The funeral services function was also regulated, with emphasis on secular ceremonies. In 1909, the Compagnia di Pubblica Assistenza and the Croce Bianca merged to form the "Pubblica Assistenza Società Riunite", which began to play a dominant role in Pisan mutual aid and health associations. With the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the Pubbliche Assistenze participated actively in relief efforts alongside the Red Cross, aiding wounded soldiers and refugees. The association lost 38 members due to war-related causes, whose names are recorded on a plaque in the current headquarters. In 1933, the fascist regime dissolved the Pubblica Assistenza di Pisa, transferring all assets to the Red Cross and halting volunteer activities. After World War II, in 1945, the association was re-established, forming a new council and resuming activities thanks to the donation of a Lancia car converted into an ambulance and an American Dodge off-road vehicle. One of the challenges was the lack of a social headquarters, which was reopened in premises previously used by fascists at via San Martino 1 in Pisa, as the original headquarters in what is now Piazza Chiara Gambacorti had been demolished. Equipment shortages were addressed through funding from private individuals and large factories reborn in the post-war period. The association also resumed territorial presence, opening branches in the San Marco and Barbaricina districts and in neighbouring municipalities. In 1947, a branch opened in Migliarino, a hamlet of Vecchiano, and branches reopened in San Giuliano Terme and its hamlet Asciano. The association gradually resumed all activities, including rescue and funeral services, and provided relief during calamities such as the 1950 flood in the Piagge area of Pisa and the first out-of-region aid for the 1951 Polesine flood. In the modern era, the association opened the Migliarino Pisano section in 1947. In 1992, a new headquarters was built in Via Italo Bargagna, moving from the city centre location in via San Martino to a larger, newly constructed facility to accommodate growing activities. In 2004, the Campo section opened, followed in 2005 by the Lungarno section, covering the hamlets of Mezzana, Colignola, and Ghezzano. In 2016, an agreement was made to open a new outpatient and services centre in the hamlet of Migliarino Pisano, with opening expected in early 2017. The association's legal headquarters is at Via Bargagna 2, near Cisanello Hospital, and it comprises several sections distributed across the municipalities of Pisa, San Giuliano Terme, and Vecchiano. Sections include Arena Metato - Madonna dell'Acqua, Asciano - Agnano, Gello, Lungarno (Mezzana, Colignola, Ghezzano, Campo), Migliarino, Pontasserchio, Riglione, and San Giuliano Terme. The association engages in numerous activities, including emergency 118 services, social assistance, civil protection, blood donation, and funeral services.

• 2016

  Agreement for a new outpatient and services centre in Migliarino Pisano.

• 2005

  Opened the Lungarno section.

• 2004

  Opened the Campo section.

• 1992

  New headquarters built in Via Italo Bargagna.

• 1947

  Opened the Migliarino Pisano section.

• 1945

  Re-established after World War II.

• 1933

  Dissolved by the fascist regime; assets transferred to the Red Cross.

• 1909

  Merged with Croce Bianca to form Pubblica Assistenza Società Riunite.

• 1891

  Achieved full autonomy from the Fratellanza Militare on 21 January.

• 1887

  Took over activities and equipment of the Società di Soccorso degli Asfittici.

• 1886

  Founded on 30 September as Compagnia di Pubblica Assistenza.

A historic, community-rooted voluntary association providing essential health, social and civil protection services in the Pisa area, operating within the ANPAS network.

• Emergenza NUE 112

  Emergency medical response service integrated with the regional 112 emergency number.

• Trasporti sanitari ordinari

  Non-emergency medical transport for patients.

• Donazione del sangue

  Blood donation collection and promotion.

• Protezione Civile – AIB

  Civil protection and anti-fire forest firefighting activities.

• Onoranze Funebri

  Funeral services, including secular ceremonies.

• Assistenza anziani e disabili

  Social assistance for the elderly and disabled.

• Corsi per l'uso dei DAE

  Training courses for the use of automated external defibrillators.

1. 1Pubblica Assistenza S.R. Pisa ODV - Dal 1886 al servizio della comunità.papisa.it
2. 2CHI SIAMO - Pubblica Assistenza S.R. Pisa ODVpapisa.it
3. 3Pubblica Assistenza Società Riunite Pisait.wikipedia.org
4. 4Pubblica Assistenza Società Riunite Pisawikidata.org