Crisis managers, working in a fast-paced and mobile environment, need timely access to the latest information and intelligence and decision support tools to filter the most important information information. A key element in successful crisis management (CM) is comprehensive Situational Awareness (SA) among all stakeholders involved. This report identifies the user needs and requirements of the future EU Multi-Stakeholder Situational Awareness System (MSSAS), based on dedicated international research results and survey-based data on SA systems used by EU crisis managers. The state-of-the-art research revealed a multiplicity of ready-to-use, mostly commercial-off-the-shelve (COTS), tools providing SA. These tools fall into the following categories: Satellite- and Airborne Remote Sensing Systems, Unmanned Ground Vehicles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Special Cameras, Special Detectors, Traffic Management and Decision Support Systems. In addition to these COTS tools, the report identifies EU FP7 projects on the development of advanced SA solutions supported by the European Commission with over € 100 million. This state-of-the-art analysis addresses also different models with regard to SA pertinent ICT architecture and technologies. An overview is provided for existing standards and ongoing standardisation activities, identifying the most important such standards. Furthermore, existing procurement processes and legal requirements are identified. It is recommended that crisis management in EU Member States consider embarking on testing and eventually introducing some of the already existing tools in their routine operations in order to optimize their response to natural and man-made disasters.

Leading author: Friedrich Steinhäusler, ISCC

Contributing authors:

• Matts Ahlsén, CNet
• Hanna Burkow, THW
• Georgios Eftychidis, KEMEA    
• Stanley Greenstein, SU
• George Kowalczyk, PHE
• Rod McCall / Ulrich Leopold, LIST
• Stefanie Müller, DIN