More than 100 international visitors accepted the invitation of the Bavarian Red Cross (BRK), the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) to the 13th Disaster Protection Congress and 9th Bavarian Rescue Service Congress in Deggendorf.
The DLR Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics was also present with the synergy projects A.H.E.A.D. (autonomous humanitarian emergency aid devices) and RESITEK (resilient technologies for disaster control), which were specially developed for disaster control. Both initiatives are based on the integration of technologies and data analysis systems from various DLR institutes in the fields of aerospace, energy, transport and security. A comprehensive digital networking system provided by the DLR Centre for Satellite Based Crisis Information and the Institute of Communications and Navigation for the presentation of complex data, including from earth observation and space travel, enables permanent situation monitoring as well as user-oriented situational awareness, operational planning and implementation in disaster areas and for people in dangerous and inaccessible zones.
The three-day event took place in cooperation with the Deggendorf Institute of Technology and the Centre for Civil Protection and was dedicated to current challenges, trends and innovations in global disaster management.
The remote-controlled and autonomous SHERP vehicle developed by A.H.E.A.D. for remote truck missions and provided by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) was also on site. By establishing a digital information infrastructure to connect different actors and intelligently coordinate operations, the A.H.E.A.D. project enables a completely new approach to responding strategically to emergencies. Controlled by a Global Mission Operation Center (GMOC), all steps of a remote truck mission are organised centrally. With the help of autonomous teleoperated vehicles, the safety of emergency services and civilians can be increased, especially during last-mile missions. A.H.E.A.D. and RESITEK thus offer a global solution for decision-makers and emergency services to access up-to-date and precise information.
The three-day event focussed in particular on practical strategies for risk reduction, strengthening resilience structures and international knowledge transfer in the areas of early warning systems, climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Knowledge creators, political decision-makers and delegates from leading humanitarian organisations used the format to jointly develop approaches for effective and sustainable crisis management.
Visitors such as Vivian Moy from the American Red Cross and Esther Wamala Bollig shared their experiences from disaster relief operations, such as the fires in Los Angeles and a field hospital in Gaza. International cooperation and the exchange of expertise, as well as the establishment of joint innovative strategies, are essential, particularly with regard to global risks. The contributions from various countries, but also from Germany, illustrated how diverse the challenges and solutions in disaster management can be - and how valuable cooperation at eye level is.
Innovative technologies in disaster management are becoming increasingly important, particularly for regional operations in Germany, especially in areas affected by floods and storms. The A.H.E.A.D. and RESITEK projects emphasise Bavaria's role as a pioneer in the research and development of new technologies and strategies for local disaster protection.
