Experiences of Capacity Building Activities with GMES and GEOSS

Continuous development in Remote Sensing and Earth Observation (EO) technologies with new sensors and innovative applications requires a constant training and enhancement of professional capacities of EO users in all sectors. Consequently DLR-DFD has started a professional capacity development program including customised trainings and tailor made courses for EO application users. Experiences were already made already with the introduction of advanced geospatial technologies to expert teams in the crisis response domain. The unique context of every crisis has an impact on the extent in which EO information, such as data from space-based sensors, and high volume data processing tools, will be used by special groups of crisis expert teams deploying these technologies.
This paper will present results, major experiences as well as opportunities and constraints of EO application activities and hands on trainings of remote sensing data application for crisis response expert teams within the GMES program focusing on the usability of information stemming from earth observations and other spatial data. Various spatial data methodologies such as rapid mapping, specific feature extraction image automatic interpretation, GIS modelling for decision support systems were tested during implementation and specific training events. As a special task in GMES, the GMOSS activities address a wider and more heterogeneous community covering academic research, industry, the military, and stakeholders from the EC and end users from the emergency response domain. By integrating remote sensing data analysis, social science and the analysis of key threads and risks, GMOSS contributes to the EU awareness of the “S” in GMES. The GMOSS work program jointly focuses on four test cases, related to conflict regions relevant for Europeans security such as Iraq, Iran, Kashmir and Zimbabwe.

Within the GMOSS-GNEX training agenda the exploitation of advanced geospatial technologies by expert teams was studied while responding to a specific crisis or emergency scenario. On the basis of an emergency management exercise methodology, simulations were prepared and executed with several teams sited at different European locations and composed of experts from various organizations. The teams were tasked to provide rapid mapping products based on satellite imagery and other geospatial data within a given amount of time. These two near real-time simulation exercises (GNEX) have been performed in 2006 and 2007 in order to evaluate the efficiency of collaboration and the effectiveness of tools and strategies in a realistic emergency scenario. The GMOSS network has been tasked to provide detailed decision support information on typical crisis management questions like quarantine control, situation and damage assessment, evacuation routes and rescue places, capability of transportation and response facilities as well as analysis and probable development of the ongoing crisis situation. Both, end users and various Directorate General of the European Commission (DG RELAX, DG ENTERPISE, DG ENVIRONMENT) have been actively integrated in these exercises. Within three and a half days the participants were provided with information and maps to almost all requests and presented them to representatives of the EC and DG RELEX in Brussels.
The experiences drawn of GNEX training exercises have shown that beyond the simple physical existence of functioning modern technologies there are crucial prerequisites for a successful application of EO technologies in crisis situation. Predominantly, a set of ‘soft’ factors is essential for a successful operation such as acceptance of technology, level of training, clear and accurate communication, agreements on standards and value of resulting products. The knowledge of these didactical and socio-technical processes is essential in order to develop and train expert teams, to be capable to use sophisticated technologies effectively under the wide range of crisis situations with its characteristic conditions and demands.
Unlike the more research and experience oriented GMOSS/GNEX training project, another capacity building example focus on testing and demonstrating potential for collaboration of the European Commission and EU Member State within crisis response activities. In synergy with GMES-Land/Sea Integrated Monitoring for European Security (LIMES) services a joint technical testing and collaboration activity is suggested for June 2008. It is intended to combine the EC Assessment Mission Course (AMC), to be held in Cyprus in June 2008, with a test and demonstration activity for developments in the domain of rapid satellite analysis, communication and navigation of the LIMES team. The actors involved are the DG-ENV/MIC, organisers (THW/JUH/Cyprus Civil Defence), trainers and trainees of the MIC/AMC and the GMES/LIMES consortium. The activity will be finalised by a professional demonstration and presentation event e.g. at the DG ENV / MIC in Brussels.
As another special GMES initiative RESPOND provides training and capacity building activities to a wider range of user like decision makers, desk officers and field staff of humanitarian relief organisations. With regards to the limited technical level of the participants specialised RESPOND facilitation trainings focus more on transferring basic knowledge about the EO- services and products from the application provider side to the end users. This group of participants require general overview presentations of satellite mapping or remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) courses on an introductory level.