Screening and assessment of solutions addressing emergency responders capability gaps
A structured and practitioner-driven approach to assess how current and emerging solutions address operational capability gaps and responder needs
Building an evidence-based view of current and emerging solutions
Using the DIREKTION Assessment and Screening Framework (DASF), supplier inputs and expert-panel review, the project builds an evidence-based view of solution relevance, maturity, compatibility and expected operational impact. The objective is to support solution uptake, identify remaining gaps, and inform future research and innovation priorities.
Why this assessment matters
Disaster management organisations face a growing landscape of technological solutions, but visibility remains fragmented and it is often difficult to determine which solutions are mature enough, operationally relevant, and aligned with real responder needs. DIREKTION addresses this challenge by linking the demand side — capability gaps identified by practitioners — with the supply side — solutions proposed by industry, SMEs, research organisations and project consortia.
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The purpose is not simply to catalogue technologies. It is to understand to what extent solutions address concrete capability gaps, how ready they are from a compliance and interoperability perspective, and how compatible and impactful they could be in operational environments.
How the assessment works
A structured, repeatable, and end-user-driven approach based on a two-stage process: supplier self-assessment followed by expert panel evaluation.
#1 - Identification of disaster risk solutions
Disaster risk solutions were identified through EU-funded projects, innovation repositories, research initiatives, and direct engagement with solution providers and SMEs across Europe.
#2 - Solution self-description by providers
Solution providers described their technologies using a common assessment framework, covering maturity, intended use, operational context, and targeted responder capabilities.
#3 - Assessment by first responder expert panel
Solutions were reviewed and discussed during expert workshops involving fire and rescue services, civil protection organisations, and responder networks at European level such as CTIF, FEU, CAFO, ENB and AUTRC.
#4 - Operationally oriented assessment
Solutions were assessed against: - coverage of identified responder capability needs, - operational readiness and maturity regarding cybersecurity, interoperability, legal, GDPR, AI and standards, … - compatibility with existing tools, procedures and systems, - and expected impact in real crisis situations to improve effectiveness, coordination, safety and decision-making.
What is assessed
Four complementary assessment dimensions
Capability gap coverage
To what extent does the solution address the selected identified operational capability topic and capability gap?
Compliance readiness
How mature is the solution with regard to areas such as cybersecurity, interoperability, GDPR, AI-related aspects, standards, legal considerations and crisis-management priorities?
Compatibility
How likely is the solution to work with existing responder tools, workflows and operational procedures?
Expected impact
Could the solution improve operational effectiveness, coordination, safety or decision-making in real-world responder contexts?
The DASF Toolset
The toolkit includes the Solution Assessment Tool, a supporting User Guide, and a structured assessment logic linking capability gaps with solution characteristics and uptake-related criteria. The tool is organised into dedicated sections covering supply, demand, and joint evaluation, enabling input from both solution providers and end users, and supporting a comprehensive and collaborative assessment process.
What the assessments revealed
The first and second cycles showed that a number of solutions can address responder capability gaps in a meaningful way, especially in areas such as command and coordination, situational awareness, responder safety, tracking, sensing, and data integration. At the same time, several gaps remain only partially covered, especially where multi-agency coordination, standardisation, legal interoperability, training, public awareness or cross-border harmonisation are concerned.
The assessments also highlighted recurring challenges: limited supplier participation in some phases, uneven understanding of TRL concepts, and uncertainty among experts when solutions could not be experienced through live demonstrations or real operational use. These findings point to the importance of stronger user-centric design, better demonstrations and pilots, and continued work on interoperability, usability and compliance.
Explore the results
Read the full deliverables and executive reports to explore the assessed solutions, the methodology used, and the lessons learned for strengthening innovation uptake in disaster resilience.
Screening of market/close to market solutions (D3.1) - Executive Report
Review of Moderate TRL
Solutions (TRL 5-7 -
Executive Report
D3.1 Screening of market/close to market solutions
D3.2 Review of low TRL solutions for the updated & prioritized gaps review