To ensure that Greece’s North Aegean Region and Cyprus are fully prepared to respond to a disaster or crisis, the EU-funded Aegis project has developed an intelligent system for managing available resources and guiding decision-making processes.
Greek project develops intelligent system for better disaster response
- 25 May 2020
The project will help us develop a system where all our means of confronting natural disasters are recorded in a single, centralised database.
Whether it be an earthquake, power outage, or social unrest, in a disaster, time is of essence. The faster and better-organised the response, the more likely it is that the disaster will be contained. In some cases, such as natural disasters, a timely, efficient response could mean the difference between life and death.
The Aegis Intelligent System is an innovative tool that records all available resources such as location of heavy machinery, first aid and pharmaceutical equipment, hospitals and doctors in a single database.
More efficient response
When disaster strikes, authorities, first responders, and others can use the platform to mobilise the necessary resources. It can also be used to visualise the incident and its effects. The net result is a more efficient, and effective, disaster response.
Field drills and training
The Aegis Intelligent System has been embedded in the North Aegean and Cyprus risk management and prevention protocols. Furthermore, to ensure immediate response, 25 disaster vehicles have been equipped with GPS applications connected to the Aegis system.
The project organised field drills in Lesbos and Nicosia and training on using the system for security forces and disaster response stakeholders. These initiatives are conducted in collaboration with the University of Athens’ Department of Geology, the Technological University of Cyprus, and the Cyprus Ministry of the Interior’s Civil Defence Force.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “AEGIS - Development of an Integrated, Innovative and Transboundary Intelligent System for Resource Management, Decision Making and Training in order to control Natural and Technological Disasters and Anthropogenic and Social Crises” is EUR 922 631, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 784 237 through the “Interreg V-A - Greece-Cyprus” Operational Programme for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “Energy Union and Climate”.