RESPOND-A trains first responders to use innovative emergency management technologies in Plovdiv, Bulgaria

On 8-9 June 2022, the RESPOND-A project organised its 4th training session in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The event, hosted by University Hospital Saint-George, gathered 50 participants including practitioners from across Europe (Bulgaria, Spain, Cyprus) and was aimed at familiarising first responders to use new solutions while giving technology providers the opportunity to test and collect feedback on their products.

RESPOND-A (Next-generation equipment tools and mission-critical strategies for First Responders) is an EU-funded research project aimed at enhancing the safety as well as the operational capabilities of first responders through innovation. Training is a key component of RESPOND-A at it allows first responders to get hands-on training with the various technologies developed by the project.

The training was articulated around three phases to simulate a real disaster scenario. The first was the data collection phase, during which technologies, such as smart body health and environmental sensors, were used to gather key information from heterogeneous sources. During the second phase, data processing, data is aggregated and translated to be further usable by crisis managers. The last was the data usage phase, where information is received by crisis managers who then rely on specific technologies that improve the coordination and overall management of the emergency response.

This exercise was followed by complementary sessions respectively addressing Augmented Reality and Cybersecurity Awareness and punctuated by an evacuation simulation using serious gaming and supported by local practitioners (Plovdiv Fire Service and and police officers from the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior).

You can find relevant material about the training (technologies tested and pictures) on the RESPOND-A website. The 5th and final training of the project will take place back to back with the RESPOND-A Final Demonstration, in February 2023.

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