CURSOR Field Test for Search and Rescue Operations, 24 Nov, Afidnes (Greece)
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Press Invitation, 16 Nov 2022
Search and Rescue Operations in Disaster Zones:
The European CURSOR consortium tests breakthrough technological solutions including drones and robots in the field
Thursday, 24 November 2022, Afidnes (Greece): The international consortium of the European- and Japanese-funded security project CURSOR will test innovative technological solutions to enhance the safety and effectiveness of Urban Search and Rescue (USaR) Operations. CURSOR (Coordinated Use of miniaturised Robotic equipment and advanced Sensors for search and rescue OpeRations) integrates different components (drones, robots, geophones, information and communication technologies) to reduce the time for detection and rescue of trapped victims in collapsed buildings, whilst increasing the overall safety of Search and Rescue teams in the line of duty. It will be the last field test before the final demonstration of the CURSOR SaR kit in Wesel (Germany) in February 2023.
For the first time, the different components of digital rescue technology are brought together and tested as a unified system. The interaction and integration of all components such as drones, robots, geophones and command and control systems will be tested within an earthquake scenario using standard INSARAG (The International Search and Rescue Advisory Group) assessment, search and rescue (SR) methodology.
The aim of the CURSOR kit is to provide data and information which will allow the USAR coordination cell (UCC) to identify and prioritise locations, develop operational plans and determine further resource requirements to extricate and rescue trapped victims in an efficient and timely manner.
Schedule for journalists:
10:00 – 10:30 hrs
Press briefing through project coordinator Tiina Ristmäe (THW) and test director Steve Gadsdon (MFRA) (in English) at the UCC.
10:30 – 12:30 hrs
Training, large scale field test and evaluation: The UCC will coordinate the search for missing persons via drones, robots, and geophones. First, an action plan including specific and viable live rescue sites will be developed in the UCC based on the information gathered by the drones and robots with advanced sensors, geophones and communication systems. This will then allow teams to develop operational plans to extricate and rescue trapped victims. There will be opportunity to accompany the task forces and technical partners across the test site as well as to conduct short interviews. This will be done in liaison with the Test Director, Steve Gadsdon.
Potential interviewees:
Tiina Ristmäe, Project coordinator, THW (EN/DE)
Steve Gadsdon, Test director, MFRA (EN)
Harris Georgiou, Test organiser, HRTA (GR/EN)
Please note that there is an opportunity to do interviews in English or Greek!
Contact on-site:
Karin Rosenits, Communication responsible, ARTTIC Innovation (DE/EN) rosenits@arttic-innovation.de
Location:
Afidnes, Greece. (The exact location will be communicated after the accreditation of journalists, please confirm your participation with Karin Rosenits (rosenits@arttic-innovation.de)).
When entering the testing area, the usage of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required (minimum requirements are helmets and protective footwear (safety shoes or sturdy hiking boots can be accepted) safety glasses are advisable). Without PPE participation in the test is not possible!
As we have to report on communication activities due to the funding of this project by the European Commission, please send a receipt of your publication to rosenits@arttic-innovation.de. Thank you very much!
About CURSOR:
17 organisations from eight countries are working together in the CURSOR project under the leadership of the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) to develop a system of different technologies that will make locating missing persons easier, more connected and safer. The responsible partners are working together across national borders to advance disaster relief in all countries. The project's funds come from both, Europe and Japan. It is funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme with 7 million euros and by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (GA No. 832790). The project team started its activities on 1 September 2019. The project will end on 28 February 2023.
Please find below the link to our video library to get an overview of the project:
https://www.cursor-project.eu/video-library/
Project Website:
Project management and communication:
Karin Rosenits
ARTTIC Innovation GmbH
0049-89 248 83 03-42
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 832790 and from the Japan Science and Technology Agency.
ARTTIC Innovation GmbH has been advising research and innovation projects for more than 33 years. As project management and communication partner, we make sure that our projects run successfully and that project results and events are disseminated in the best possible way. ARTTIC is a subsidiary of the PNO Group, one of the largest consultancies for publicly funded projects in research and development. For more information, please visit www.arttic-innovation.de.