Lean approach in the application of new technologies: integration of risk, situational awareness, and resilience by a prehospital emergency medical service

Abstract

After an earthquake or an industrial chemical release, a timely and effective response is crucial and can prevent or significantly reduce the risk of casualties. To this end, first responders and rescue teams have been equipped with state-of-the-art tools and specialised instruments to improve their capabilities in terms of accuracy, rapid location, and reduction of false alarms. The European Union-funded Search and Rescue project (Emerging technologies for the Early location of Entrapped victims under Collapsed Structures and Advanced Wearables for risk assessment and First Responders Safety in SAR operations) has designed, implemented and tested a highly compatible open architecture platform for first responders in a pilot case study of a chemical incident. An analysis of major chemical accidents classified by the eMars database (Major Accident Reporting System, established by the European Seveso Directive) was carried out; it has determined the types of companies that have suffered chemical accidents with the highest number of injuries and fatalities. Based on this previous analysis, a chemical spill pilot study was devised to test advanced user equipment systems and backup applications, improving first responders’ decision-making and providing a common, dynamic operational perspective of the disaster. The Lean Method was used to evaluate processes, identify waste, test new solutions and, finally, increase the value of the product and service produced.