Improving Resilience to Emergencies through Advanced Cyber Technologies: the I-REACT project

• Main Authors: Claudia Maltoni, Claudio Rossi, Guzmán Sánchez
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: mediaGEO soc. coop. 2017-08-01
• Series: GEOmedia
• Subjects: I-REACT; natural hazards; climate change; disaster management; Copernicus
• Online Access: https://www.mediageo.it/ojs/index.php/GEOmedia/article/view/1443

Due to climate change, floods, wildfires and other extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. This scenario poses a challenge for current risk management systems. I-REACT project aims to develop a solution through the integration and modelling of data coming multiple sources. Information from European monitoring systems, earth observations, historical information and weather forecasts will be combined with data gathered by new technological developments created by I-REACT. These include a mobile app and a social media analysis tool to account for real-timeccrowdsourced information, wearables to improvecpositioning, as well as augmented reality glasses to facilitate reporting and information visualisation by first responders. With this approach, I-REACT will be able to empower stakeholders in the prevention and management of disasters. Citizens will be involved in reporting first-hand information, policymakers will be supported in the decision-making process, and first responders will be equipped with essential tools for early warning and response. At the same time, private companies could leverage specific set of I-REACT components to improve their business, when linked to disaster management. Overall, I-REACT aims to be a European-wide contribution to build more secure and resilient societies to disasters.