Crisis management topic 2: Tools for detection, traceability, triage and individual monitoring of victims after a mass CBRNE contamination and/or exposure

Specific challenge:

A fast detection of exposure or contamination with CBRN substances (including toxins) using traceable toolsand rapid identification of critically exposed individuals  is essential to gain time in the triage of victims in case of accidents or terrorist attack. Research on traceability and monitoring of a large number of people in case of a massive CBRN incident is therefore needed to differentiate between contaminated and/or exposed persons and those individuals not contaminated persons on-site or in hospital zones.

Scope:

The objective of this topic is to integrate existing tools and procedures along with the development of novel solutions in order to rapidly determine, in case of accidents or terrorist attack, if victims have been exposed/contaminated or not (by a CBRN agent) as well as the level of contamination / exposure (including making use of point of care diagnostic tests), develop and establish a decontamination / treatment / medical follow up based on the level of contamination / exposure, ensure the tools and procedures fit in overarching search & rescue systems, establish guidelines for hospitalisation and admission to intensive care units (or other specific units) based on the contamination evaluation. A special attention should be given to gender, ethical, religious and privacy aspects, for instance for pregnant women, disabled individuals, etc. The ethical implications and social acceptance of the proposed solution needs to be studied, contributing to an improved cooperation between science and society. Dual-use aspects will be considered with possible synergies being established with the European Defence Agency. Existing networks of end users from all affected fields (e.g. defence/security experts, firemen, rescuers) need to be actively involved in both technologies and procedures.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between €5m and €12m would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected impact:

-          faster and more efficient treatments, detection and monitoring technologies of exposure to or contamination with CBRN substances (including toxins)  in the case of accidents or terrorist attacks;

-          new integrated, interoperable and centralised system to improve the triage and monitoring of victims, including the reduction of risks of cross-contamination between non-contaminated and contaminated victims.

-          improved CBRN (including toxins) detection and monitoring capabilities;

-          improved crisis management in case of a mass contamination/exposure through integration of information via a centralised system, involving all relevant stakeholders.

-          improved cooperation between science and society through ethical screening of the developed solutions;

-          higher cost-efficiency through dual-use applications;

-          contribution to ongoing standardisation work.

The action is expected to proactively target the needs and requirements of users, such as national law enforcement agencies, first responders and civil protection units in the CBRN area.

Type of action:Innovation Actions