The B-prepared project played an active role at the 23rd International Conference on Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management (ISCRAM 2026), held from 31st May to 3rd June in The Hague, Netherlands. Through scientific publications, a dedicated workshop and live demonstrations, the project showcased how innovative technologies can strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience.
Several partners from the B-prepared consortium presented research papers covering topics such as virtual and augmented reality for preparedness training, serious games, situational awareness, cross-border crisis collaboration and simulation-based emergency exercises. These contributions reflect the project’s commitment to advancing evidence-based approaches to preparedness through digital innovation.
A key event at the conference was the workshop “Platforms for Increased Preparedness,” organized by Ilona Heldal, Cecilia Hammar Wijkmark and András Majdik. The session brought together researchers and practitioners to explore how technologies such as VR, mobile applications, serious games and AI-supported tools can improve preparedness training for citizens and professionals.
The workshop featured a keynote by András Majdik, coordinator of B-prepared, introducing the project’s ecosystem and demonstrating solutions including Disastropedia.com and VR-prepared. Additional presentations showcased IM-prepared (by Zsolt Márkus) and RU-prepared (by Attila Lengyel), highlighting the role of mobile learning and gamified engagement in preparedness.
One of the workshop’s most memorable moments occurred during a VR evacuation demonstration. As a virtual garage fire scenario was being presented, the building’s real fire alarm was triggered. Participants initially wondered whether the alarm was part of the simulation before realizing it was an actual evacuation.
The experience provided an unexpected but valuable lesson in situational awareness and emergency response, reinforcing many of the workshop’s key themes.
The workshop attracted strong interest and lively discussions around the future of technology-supported preparedness training. Through its research, demonstrations and collaborative activities, B-prepared continues to contribute to innovative, inclusive and practical digital solutions that help strengthen preparedness and resilience across Europe.
