New Technologies for Complex Disaster Response Operations

A collapsed building, poor visibility, potentially hazardous gases and people still missing: in complex disaster response operations, first responders must make critical decisions under immense time pressure, often with incomplete information and in environments where conventional communication and positioning systems reach their limits.

This is precisely the challenge that the European research project SYNERGISE set out to address: helping first responders gain a clearer understanding of the situation on the ground, identify hazards earlier and make informed decisions without exposing themselves to unnecessary additional risks.

The project brings together robotics, drones, sensors, positioning technologies, wearables, augmented reality and digital incident management within a single integrated system. Robots can explore hazardous areas before people enter them. Sensors monitor environmental threats and the physical strain experienced by first responders. Positioning technologies help determine their location, including inside buildings and in environments where reliable GPS signals are unavailable. The information collected is brought together and made accessible to first responders and incident commanders to support operational decision-making.

From Individual Robots to a Shared Operational Picture

The challenge was not simply to develop new technologies. The key was to connect solutions designed for very different tasks so that information from multiple sources could be combined into a comprehensive picture of the disaster situation.

Robotic systems such as ANYmal, OWL and SNAKE perform different reconnaissance tasks, while drones provide additional information from the air. Wearables and sensors monitor vital signs, physical strain, hazardous gases and environmental conditions. Advanced positioning technologies help locate first responders inside buildings and other environments where GPS reception is unreliable.

Augmented reality applications help first responders navigate complex emergency situations by displaying information such as hazards, victim locations and operational instructions directly in their field of view. At the same time, digital incident management systems bring together data from robots, drones, wearables, positioning technologies and sensors to give response teams a shared overview of the situation and support better coordination and decision-making.

To maintain connectivity under challenging operational conditions, SYNERGISE combines different communication technologies, including mobile networks, satellite communications and local wireless networks.

The result is an interconnected system of specialised technologies designed to provide first responders and incident commanders with the information they need, where they need it.

Developed Together with the People Who Will Use the Technologies

One of the defining features of SYNERGISE is that first responders were involved from the very beginning in the development process. Fire and rescue organisations worked closely with research institutions and technology providers throughout the project.

The technologies were tested and continuously refined through a multi-stage field testing programme conducted with first responders under realistic conditions. Each testing phase introduced additional technologies, allowing their combined operation to be evaluated in increasingly complex scenarios e.g. simulations of victims trapped in situations involving fire, hazardous substances in difficult to access site, similar to any realistic disaster event.

The experience and feedback of first responders directly informed the development process. Particular attention was given to usability, comfort, reliability and the integration of new technologies into existing operational procedures. This continuous feedback helped make the SYNERGISE solutions more user-friendly and better suited to the practical requirements of emergency response operations.

Equipping First Responders with Tools That Enhance Their Safety and Operational Capabilities

"Over the past three years, SYNERGISE has shown how important it is to involve first responders from the very beginning. Working closely with them throughout development and field testing has helped identify what works in practice and where improvements are still needed. As the project comes to an end, some technologies can be taken forward for use in real emergency response operations while others will need further development and testing." said Tiina Ristmäe, Project Coordinator, German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW).

A Multidisciplinary Team Working Together to Improve Complex Emergency Response

Alongside the participating emergency response organisations, SYNERGISE brings together universities, research institutions and companies working jointly on the research, development, integration and testing of technological solutions.

Technology partners from Japan and South Korea also contribute to the development work, strengthening the project’s international dimension. In addition, experts from Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States of America support the project with their expertise and participate in field testing activities.

This international collaboration brings together diverse technological expertise and practical operational perspectives, helping shape the development of the SYNERGISE system.