WP 9: Foresight into needs, possibilities and knowledge gaps in the future

WP Leader: Dr David Baker (HPA). WP interaction
Contact

Objectives
To predict, prioritize and recommend future improvements of the generic emergency preparedness planning.

Work description 
WP 9 is a foresight study building on the outcome of the previous WPs 4-8 as well as outputs from seminars and the Reference Group. It aims to identify and further detail the gaps in scientific knowledge, specialist needs and the tools to support medical emergency responders and other actors in the area of hazard and risk assessment, triage assessments, decontamination and data collection in mass casualty incidents involving radiation and chemical releases.
A pan-European assessment of coordination actions for hazard and risk assessment, triage, decontamination, medical and fatality management will be made, including guide lines in decision making using modern technologies and documentation.
Further investigation will describe how cutting-edge advancements in biotechnology and medical instrumentation, as well as communication technologies, will be implemented in parallel to improve current abilities and minimize the impact of mass casualty incidents in order to suggest an updated and modernized standard for general preparedness. This foresight will also identify knowledge gaps at a level that may support recommendations for future research.

Tasks
Collate literature searches from WP 4-8 and further analyse data
Contribute to seminars and assess outcomes
Undertake a foresight open literature search in key areas
Analyse search outputs
Identify cutting edge technologies
Prepare report in findings
Disseminate outcome at Seminar 4
Assess outputs from Seminar 3
Final report

Milestones
This Work Package is built upon all the other work; the scenario of interest (WP4), the capabilities and methods used today for handling such events (WP5 and 6) and the potential for biotechnology and ICT tools for addressing current limitations (WP7 and 8).  WP 9 will take all of this information and detail the way ahead for improved medical management of CR crises. This information will be distributed and discussed in the seminar (D8) and conclusions will be compiled into a report (D9).