Data Management System for USAR Operations

ended

The project stems from operational needs from both real emergency as well as exercises carried out in the last years by USAR Assessment teams and their coordination cells (UCC). During a USAR emergency operation (i.e. earthquakes, volcanic eruption, high snow) the UCC performs its work relying usually on data provided by the teams from the affected site. The quality and quantity of these data, their sources and their destination may vary according to the type of: emergency, in-country disaster management system, deployed resources. It is of key relevance to manage and merge data timely and effectively to make them available for the support in rescue operations. The strategic Consortium is composed by 3 end-users (CNVVF, National Fire and Rescue Service IT; ERICAM, Emergency and Immediate Response of Madrid Community ES, EcASC, École d'Application de Sécurité Civile FR) and 1 CP Authority (ICPD, Italian Civil Protection Department). Their active contribution leads to: implementing, testing and completing an innovative data management system, “Prometheus,” that has been developed from 0 to alpha version by the CNVVF own resources. It complements, integrates and improves some areas that remain uncovered by the currently used data management system so as becoming a more effective toolkit for USAR Assessment teams and UCC during the first phase (the so-called “Golden day”) when the toll of victims can be reduced by a more rapid intervention and timely exchange of information flow between the UCC and the deployed teams. “Prometheus” by providing an IT tool will complement two DG ECHO funded actions (EASeR for procedures, BELICE for training) toward a multi-side improvement of the assessment phase. “Prometheus” is free as to contribute to the Sendai Framework on DRR also outside the EU, providing low income-countries with an instrument to mitigate emergencies through cooperation and collaboration (Priority 2. Strengthening disaster risk governance to manage disaster risk).