Building an evidence-based view of current and emerging solutions
DIREKTION has conducted a structured and practitioner-driven assessment of existing and emerging disaster risk solutions to understand how well they respond to real operational capability needs of first responders and civil protection authorities across Europe.
This work combines market intelligence, solution provider inputs, and end-user expert validation, with the objective of supporting solution uptake, research prioritisation, and future innovation programming.
Why this assessment matters
Despite a growing number of technological solutions for disaster risk management, end users often face:
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limited visibility on what solutions already exist,
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uncertainty regarding operational relevance and maturity,
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and difficulties in understanding how solutions map to concrete capability gaps.
The DIREKTION assessment addresses these challenges by providing a structured, comparable and end-user-validated overview of the current state of the art.
How the assessment was conducted
A structured, repeatable, and end-user-driven approach
#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 - Validation by first responder experts
Solutions were reviewed and discussed during expert workshops involving fire and rescue services, civil protection organisations, and responder networks at European level.
#4 - Operationally oriented assessment
Solutions were assessed against: - coverage of responder capability needs, - operational readiness and maturity, - compatibility with existing procedures and systems, - and expected impact in real crisis situations.
The DASF Toolset
The DASF toolset consists of several core tools designed to simplify and systematize the assessment and screening process for disaster management. In addition to a user guide to support you through the assessment process. The toolset analysis is aligned with the latest EU priorities for disaster management, including the EU civil security taxonomy.
Capability Needs and Gaps Assessment Tool
A user-friendly tool that allows disaster management agencies to assess their current capabilities against standardized benchmarks.
Solution Assessment Tool
This tool evaluates the maturity, feasibility, and potential impact of solutions. It is based on established criteria such as TRLs and operational feasibility
Roadmapping Tool
This tool connects the assessed needs and solutions to future programming, offering a strategic path for capacity building.