Using real radioactive sources in a series of challenging operational scenarios, SDIS73, the fire service of the Savoie region in France, tested and assessed the fully integrated TERRIFFIC System and was able to compare its benefits with their own legacy systems. This two-day trial was held at the end of September.
Just two weeks earlier, police and fire officers from the Slovak and Czech Republics had also put the final System through its paces in a bespoke two-day tabletop and field exercise, again comparing it to existing legacy systems. The extremely useful feedback from both the final trial and field exercise was very positive and bodes very well for the future development and deployment of the TERRIFFIC System.
Col. Denis Giordan of SDIS73 said in an interview during the final trial: ‘I think that TERRIFFIC, after two long days of tests, training and trials, may be added into our (CBRNe) toolbox. TERRIFFIC is not able to give solutions to each situation, but TERRIFFIC may be part of a solution in numerous situations.’
This trials’ campaign has been at the heart of the whole TERRIFFIC project, which has continually sought to deliver improved situational awareness to RNe incident commanders. It has achieved this by bringing together innovative specialist technologies, including a miniaturised gamma camera and flat panel beta detector, both mounted onto specially adapted drones and robots, and new plume modelling software. The data these detectors deliver is automatically fed into the augmented reality solution and CBRNE Frontline, the incident management software used by NATO forces, and here operated from a dedicated fast response vehicle – the MODES van.
‘It’s good to see that technology is constantly evolving. This is very important and necessary, especially in the field of CBRN materials,’ said Ltc. Zdenek Patrik, senior investigator, Czech Police during the field exercise.
Operational practitioners from the police and fire services and CBRNe specialist organisations have been involved throughout the TERRIFFIC project. Initially they helped to establish the scope of the work, they have supported us in developing the right technical solutions and have ultimately assessed whether we have met their operational needs. This was the real proof of the power of using innovative technology in an RNe incident to help CBRNe officers manage the event more effectively – and greatly reduce the risks to personnel.
After three and a half years’ work, the TERRIFFIC project is extremely pleased to announce that it has achieved all of its objectives since its inception in April 2018. ‘As the project nears its conclusion at the end of October 2021, we are confident that several the partners will go on to find markets for the combined solutions with their existing, and hopefully new customers as well, in the European police, fire and military CBRNe sectors,’ enthused project coordinator Ulisse Gendotti of Arktis Radiation Detectors.
For more information, go to www.terriffic.eu
