The PSCE Conference took place on 10-11 May 2023 in Lavrion, Greece in collaboration with and hosted by the National Technical University of Athens and the Institute for Communication and Computer Systems. The conference was one in a week full of events taking place at the Lavrion Technological and Cultural Park. A standardisation workshop as well as the final conference of the Search and Rescue project took place prior, while a workshop organised in the context of the Community for European Research and Innovation for Security (CERIS) was conducted in the afternoon following the PSCE conference.
This edition was focused on key topics in the fields of Public Safety and Public Protection and Disaster Relief (PPDR), including:
• Security threat posed by fake-based technologies
• Different approaches to public safety communications (5G/6G, military support, social media)
• Challenges and new technologies for Search and Rescue operations
• Horizon scanning for public safety
The event gathered more than 60 participants from across Europe and beyond, from heterogeneous backgrounds including practitioners, researchers, industry, civil servants. This edition was marked by a wide representation of EU-funded projects (Search&Rescue/Fidal/Eithos/5G Epicentre/Rescuer/Nightingale/Ingenious). During one day and a half, delegates could follow high-level talks from experts as well as engage in dynamic and creative exchanges during a collaborative session on the role of interconnectivity for PPDR. Information on future project proposals as well as funding opportunities was also provided. During the evening of the 10th, attendees had the opportunity to continue the discussions during a social diner in a relaxed atmosphere, in the heart of Lavrion.
In a world where disasters and incidents become increasingly frequent and difficult to predict, it is crucial that all actors engaged in crisis management activities, from solution providers to public authorities and practitioners, have the opportunity to gather and seek innovative pathways to minimize the negative impacts of such crises. In this regard, the debates triggered by the topics at PSCE Conference will certainly contribute to improving the efficiency of public safety operations and PSCE is committed to act as part of this effort.
