01/15/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/16/2025 00:48
On 26 November 2024, the Directorate-General of Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), in collaboration with the Directorate-General of Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) and the Research Executive Agency (REA), hosted the second Workshop for Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).
The event, held in Brussels, was opened by Marta Cygan, Director for Innovation and Audit of DG HOME. It connected 21 EMTs from the European Civil Protection Pool (ECPP), the rescEU EMT consortium coordinator, and World Health Organization representatives with EU-funded research and innovation projects relevant to emergency medical response.
The workshop followed the successful format of the first EMT workshop in June 2023 but with a stronger emphasis on showcasing EU-supported projects that could enhance EMT capabilities, training, and partnerships. Participants included both in-person and remote attendees, fostering discussions, knowledge exchange and networking.
The workshop emphasised that in an era where rapid response and technological innovation are essential for disaster management, several EU-funded projects are already making advancements in this area. During the Capability Development session, three projects - NIGHTINGALE, PREPSHIELD, and iProcure Security PCP - showcased how technology, collaboration, and training are driving progress in emergency preparedness and response.
Presenting research and innovation (R&I) projects to EMT representatives proved highly effective. EMT representatives emphasised the value of in-person discussions, which clarified how specific project outcomes could directly benefit their modules. Conversely, project coordinators gained valuable feedback from practitioners, providing a practical "reality check" on their innovations.
The workshop underscored the importance of regular engagement among UCPM EMTs, also involving the World Health Organization, to address shared challenges, particularly around classification. Moving forward, the Knowledge Network Platform's planned push notification functionality will facilitate ongoing interaction through a dedicated UCPM EMT discussion group.
The workshop concluded with a focus on sustaining collaboration through the Knowledge Network Platform, enabling continued engagement between EMTs and project communities. Additionally, upcoming UCPM and Horizon Europe calls in 2025 offer further opportunities for EMTs to secure funding for capability upgrades.
For further details, please visit the Civil Protection Knowledge Network, where a longer version of this article was published.