Innsbruck, Austria – The CREXDATA project recently concluded its final trial in Austria, focusing on the Emergency Use Case. Over two intensive days, project partners DCNA and Paderborn University collaborated with local emergency response stakeholders to test and gather crucial feedback on the CREXDATA system’s capabilities in managing critical situations.
The event was a significant step toward validating the technologies developed throughout the project, ensuring they meet the practical needs of end-users in high-pressure environments.
Day 1: Hands-On Workshop with Regional Authorities
The trial began with a workshop at the University of Innsbruck, attended by representatives from regional and municipal authorities responsible for public safety, water management, and critical infrastructure.
Following an introduction to the CREXDATA system by Deniz Özcan (Paderborn University), participants engaged in a hands-on session. They learned to create graphical workflows using RapidMiner AI Studio, with the results visualized in real-time through the ARGOS system. This practical application allowed stakeholders to experience the system’s decision-support capabilities firsthand. The day concluded with a valuable feedback and evaluation session moderated by Jasmina Schmidt (DCNA).
Participants during the hands-on workshop session. (Photo: Johanna Zweiger / DCNA)
Day 2: Forest Fire Simulation in the Stubai Alps
The second day took the trial into the field, where the CREXDATA team joined a large-scale forest fire exercise conducted by local and regional fire brigades in the Stubai Alps. The scenario involved a mountain forest fire, requiring a coordinated response that included a helicopter water-drop mission and drone deployment for hotspot detection.
Firefighters tested the CREXDATA system in a live wildfire context. Jens Pottebaum (Paderborn University) provided an introduction, after which the emergency crews utilized various technologies. The ARGOS system displayed simulations of the wildfire’s spread and firefighter fatigue, providing critical data for tactical decision support.
With the help of Rene Kastner (DCNA), firefighters also tested Augmented Reality (AR) glasses. This technology provided them with a real-time overlay of the fire’s expected path, the locations of deployed units, and potential water collection points, demonstrating a significant leap forward in situational awareness.
The feedback from all participants was overwhelmingly positive and will be instrumental in refining the CREXDATA platform to ensure its effectiveness and user-friendliness for critical action planning.