site.btaStrategy for Managing Natural Disasters and Accidents Developed with EU Funds, Bulgarian Participation

A European-level strategy for the development of a system for managing emergencies, disasters and accidents was presented during the closing conference of the international project "Sustainable Disaster and Emergency Management - SUDEM" at the BTA National Press Club here on Friday.  

According to Prof. Dr. Georgi Georgiev, the system includes artificial intelligence and drones to increase the effectiveness of disaster and emergency management actions. Partners in the project are from the Netherlands, Germany, Ukraine and Turkiye, as well as scientists from the Space Research and Technology Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (SRTI - BAS).

Georgiev explained that there is a need for a system for sustainable digitalization of disaster and emergency management processes due to the increasing frequency of climatic, anthropogenic disasters and accidents, and the unpreparedness of countries in Europe to meet these situations.

Georgiev pointed out that a package of 12 training materials has been developed for disaster and emergency management processes at the regional and international levels. The focus is on assistance in making management decisions and coordination between institutions and organizations involved in disaster and emergency management. The project also prepared a package of policy recommendations for European countries to introduce systems and technologies to improve disaster and emergency management - increased preparedness, monitoring of the environment and critical infrastructure, as well as its protection, he added.

Prof. Dimo ​​Zafirov, PhD said that goal of the project is to prevent dangerous phenomena from turning into disasters and to be able to control situations with fewer victims and material damage. According to him, in most cases, the delay in the response to dangerous phenomena and disasters is due to human reaction. 

Prof. Dr. Georgi Zhelev said that one disaster may lead to a series of other disasters and accidents, giving the example of an earthquake causing a flood or even a tsunami. He noted that at the beginning of the digital age there is an opportunity to use the tools of digitalization.

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Aksit said that within the framework of the SUDEM project, the Dutch company CIT has developed four complementary courses that offer an educational program that integrates modern practices with cutting-edge artificial intelligence technologies for disaster and incident management.

Prof. Dr. Anatoliy Sachenko from the West Ukrainian National University said that two key modules have been developed. The first module focuses on combining sensors, drones, image processing and deep learning for fire detection, survivor location and infrastructure damage assessment. The second module is dedicated to the resilience of emergency management systems, including the SUDEM application for disaster management.

Prof. Dr. Eng. Axel Sikora explained that the Offenburg University of Applied Sciences has developed a course on the “Internet of Things.” The connection of sensors and actuators in the “Internet of Things” can be used during all phases of disasters, he pointed out.

Prof. Dr. Oleh Zachko pointed out that the Lviv State University of Life Safety has developed a course "Nuclear and Radiation Safety".