Complete crisis management
Fast and effective emergency planning can save lives when disasters strike in the form of fires, flooding, industrial accidents and terrorist attacks. Urban and industrial areas are most vulnerable because of their high population density, built-up environment and presence of major infrastructures. The EU-funded 'Innovative training & decision support for emergency operations' (INDIGO) project built on the work of earlier initiatives to revolutionise the way in which such threats are managed. This was achieved through the training of security organisations, the design of suitable emergency plans and the efficient handling of crisis management procedures. INDIGO developed an innovative system based on state-of-the-art virtual reality, simulation and artificial intelligence that improved the operational preparedness and management of complex crisis situations. The system can provide 3D interactive visualisation of the disaster scene, including information from the field, simulation results and the interiors of buildings. The system also enables different scenarios to be created for planning, training and anticipating future conditions and impending developments during the operation. It can also be used for conducting post-event analysis. Furthermore, INDIGO allows the simultaneous training of decision makers, crisis managers and first responders using simulated scenarios to communicate and share complex information between different organisations. Project partners also released the Emergency Symbology Set, following a detailed analysis of the needs of crisis managers. The set is for use with 2D and 3D maps to improve decision making across organisational boundaries by facilitating immediate understanding of crisis situations. Consortium members tested the operational and training capability of the system in two real-life situations. During Veteran's day in the Netherlands, police used the INDIGO operational system to monitor and report information between the mobile and stationary control centres, in parallel with their monitoring system. French fire fighters in La Haye will trial the system for operational purposes and for training purposes within their organisation and for international organisation training. The INDIGO system offers an essential and integrated tool for training personnel, planning operations, and facilitating crisis management and cooperation across organisations and nations. It will therefore play a vital role in protecting and aiding EU citizens in emergencies.
Keywords
Crisis management, emergency planning, Emergency Symbology Set, virtual reality, interactive visualisation
