Photo: Martin Edlinger
Disaster Competence Network Austria (DCNA) acts as a link between scientific research and practitioners in crisis and disaster management. Through knowledge and technology transfer, findings from basic research are implemented and directed to those interested in security and disaster research in Austria and beyond.
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Since the beginning of 2024, DCNA has been part of a new KIRAS-funded research project: NIKE-ROBComm will develop components that allow a swarm of robots and drones to navigate and operate in urban environments (sometimes without a GNSS signal).
DCNA stands for equality and equal opportunities for all people - regardless of their gender, gender identity, social and ethnic origin, age, physical disposition and sexual orientation.
We are pleased to welcome another associate member to our network: Samariterbund Vienna (Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Austria, department of Vienna).
We are pleased to welcome another full member to our network, GeoSphere Austria (GSA). Through its broad spectrum of research in space weather, avalanches, air pollutants, earthquakes, landslides, weather and climate change, GeoSphere Austria provides data and services that make an important contribution to disaster risk management in Austria.
We are pleased to announce that the European Severe Storms Laboratory (ESSL) has joined DCNA as an ordinary member. The ESSL is a non-profit research institution based in Wiener Neustadt, Austria, performing and supporting research on severe convective storms.
Since January 1, 2024, we are part of of new research project funded by FFG KIRAS: ClimateDiseaseRisk addresses the threat posed by new insects (arthropods) that can transmit pathogens. The aim of the project is to develop a system that can deal with this threat, focusing on mosquitoes and ticks.
As part of the Vulkano project, national emergency and disaster protection plans are screened in order to identify the current status of the consideration of vulnerable groups (including older people, people with disabilities, migrants, single parents, etc.). The project consortium is therefore looking for initiatives and projects related to the protection of vulnerable groups.
We are delighted to share that DCNA has been part of a new research project funded by FFG KIRAS since December 2023: Wanzendrohne will develop a system to mechanically control invasive stink bugs. These bugs cause great damage, especially in fruit farming, making up to 200 types of fruit (especially apples and pears) inedible and unsellable. Controlling them, thus, helps to ensure food supply for the general public.