The SYNERGISE Project Held its first Component Field Test

The SYNERGISE Project Held its first Component Field Test

Athens, Greece

November 19-21, 2024

SYNERGISE - subheadline

The first Component Field test (CFT1) of the SYNERGISE project, held in Athens, Greece, from November 19–21, 2024, marked a significant milestone in advancing disaster response technologies. This event brought together first responders, technical partners and observers to evaluate and refine the SYNERGISE technologies solutions designed to enhance safety, efficiency, and coordination in disaster response scenarios such as explosion that can cause large scale damage to infrastructure and society.

CFT1, like all field tests in the SYNERGISE project, followed master scenarios and use cases defined in the project. For this test, scenarios drew inspiration from the devastating explosion in a port in Lebanon in 2020 and focused on use cases about Rapid search and rescue of a collapsed building and Full search and rescue of heavily trapped survivors.

These scenarios provided a robust framework for evaluating SYNERGISE technologies under realistic and demanding conditions. First responders deployed the technologies in simulated operational environments to gather critical data, providing technical partners with valuable insights to guide future development and refinement.

The testing was overseen by Steve Gadsdon, the Project Advisory Board’s CFT1 director, who ensured the evaluations were conducted effectively and aligned with the project’s objectives.

First responders from key organizations—including Hellenic Rescue Team of Attica (HRTA), Södertörn Fire Brigade (SBFF), Gezamenlijke Brandweer (GB) and German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) — actively participated in the field test. They tested the prototypes directly in the field, ensuring that the technologies were evaluated under realistic conditions.

Their hands-on involvement provided valuable operational insights to guide further development and refinement by the technical partners.

Technologies under evaluation included:

  • Localization devices (by SYSNAV): Advanced systems for tracking and positioning in challenging environments to locate the exact position of the first responders involved in rescue missions
  • Health sensors and wearables (by Wearin’): Innovative tools for monitoring responder well-being to measure the vitals of the first responders
  • Field communication tools (by ETRI): Private 5G networks designed for high-stress scenarios to ensure robust and independent communication.
  • Satellite wireless communication systems (by ASTRIAL): Enabling connectivity in remote or disrupted areas to enhance the communication networks.

Notably, members of the SYNERGISE Project Advisory Board attended the test as observers, offering expert feedback and insights. To further strengthen international collaboration, a delegation from Iraq, the Joint Crisis Coordination Center (JCC)  & Kurdistan Civil Defense, also participated as observers. The observers involvement was pivotal, providing crucial feedback to enhance the development of the technologies.

The trials effectively demonstrated the potential of SYNERGISE technologies to support first responders in real-world disaster scenarios, highlighting their practical application and benefits.

This milestone underscores SYNERGISE’s dedication to innovation and international collaboration in disaster management. The success of CFT1 sets the stage for the remaining three CFTs and highlights the project’s drive to achieve its ambitious goals.