Mission

An alliance of individuals, NGOs, regions and corporations working to provide Europe with easy-to-use, resilient, and ubiquitous communications systems that:

• are beyond the reach of natural or man-made disasters

• reach currently underserved parts of Europe with state-of-the-art connectivity

• support European efforts to protect Critical Infrastructure

We do this by supporting development of robust Emergency Response solutions…

Objectives

We…

• …want Public Protection and Disaster Response (PPDR) services to be supported by robust, reliable and disaster resilient communication platforms

• Work to ensure that EU policies make emergency communications a priority

• Emphasize the practical challenges of emergency responders and public agencies when responding to disasters

• Provide a platform for dialogue and debate for all emergency response stakeholders

Major Initiative: S-Band 2007

A rare opportunity to realise a resilient, pan-European, communications system.

• 2GHz band, or “S-band”, is unique spectrum that can enable a ubiquitous pan-European solution to meet public safety challenges

• DG InfoSoc now in the process of deciding on a selection and authorisation process for allocating the available spectrum

• Immediate opportunity to secure spectrum that can bring the best emergency communications to European citizens

• Obscure regulatory actions can have significant consequences: engage with national authorities in support

On-Going Initiatives

EURespond's work focuses upon four main work streams

• Emergency Response• Critical Infrastructure• Digital Divide• Security & Research

Emergency Response

Communication systems in Europe that support Public Protection and Disaster Recovery (PPDR) services are subject to breakdown and collapse in emergency circumstances

The Emergency Response Working Group

• explains that public interest lies in emergency response systems that are underpinned by robust and reliable communications

• works to make such systems a public policy priority

• advocates that any systems put in place should have a pan-European capability and compatibility; and that

• that robust emergency communications platforms can support wider policy objectives (provision of rural broadband coverage, bridging digital divide)

Critical Infrastructure

The Critical Infrastructure (CI) Working Group supports the work of policy makers and other interested parties to:

• ensure a common approach by European Commission, Council of Ministers and Parliament towards better protection of Critical Infrastructure in Europe

• highlight the need to create a level playing field among all operators the better to enable network rollout

• put in place the necessary measures to ensure better emergency preparedness, and implement priority communications on public networks

Digital Divide

EURespond brings together all interested communities concerned with the information society, regional and rural development policies to:

• raise awareness about how rural and structural funds should approach ICTs for emergency communications

• contribute to Community policies in the field of rural development and competition

• assist policy makers in identifying best practices for using ICT in rural and regional/local development

Security & Research

The Security & Research (S&R) Working Group works on initiatives:

• to develop technologies and know-how for ensuring security of citizens from threats such as terrorism and (organised) crime, natural disasters and industrial accidents while respecting fundamental human rights

• to optimise use of technologies to the benefit of Europe’s civil security

• to engender cooperation of providers and users of civil security solutions

Conclusion

• Europe is beginning to enable the private sector to develop the disaster-resilient networks Europe needs

• Increase support for PPDR through resilient communication platforms

• Develop legislative proposals which make emergency response and communications platforms a priority

• Support S-band spectrum for PPDS: our unique opportunity to provide a ubiquitous pan-European solution to meet important public safety challenges

• Join our organisation to help meet this essential goal

New members are welcome – our website contains details of how to join EURespond

www.eurespond.org