Project Faster — Tools for First Responders

This paper presents tools and technologies for first responders (FRs) carrying out tasks at crisis scenes. These technologiesare being developed in the framework of the European scientific research project FASTER. There are innovative tools that can helprescuers respond quickly and effectively to save human life and health. This work concerns improving and extending communicationand situational awareness for rescuers, smart textiles, autonomous or remotely controlled vehicles. The main point is to integratethe tools into a system coordinated using a mobile operation command centre that will provide a portable common operationalpicture (PCOP). For the project, the key is to increase the safety of first responders, not just the efficiency of their operations