Emergency rescue has always been a combination of experience, routine and quick action. This interaction has changed noticeably in recent years. Digital technologies are increasingly finding their way into emergency vehicles, control centers and management structures. What was previously based on shouting, radio discipline and handwritten maps is now supplemented by digital information flows. Science provides the basis for this, and technology implements it in everyday operations.
This is not about replacing human decisions. Rather, tools are emerging that help to understand complex situations more quickly and structure them better. In an environment where time pressure, stress and uncertainty are omnipresent, this can make all the difference.
Data as the basis for modern operational decisions
Emergency services must quickly assess which measures are necessary, which resources are needed and how a situation could develop. For a long time, this assessment was based almost exclusively on experience and direct observation. These factors remain central, but are now supplemented by an ever-growing amount of data.
Vehicles provide technical status information, operational resources are networked, and positions of forces can be recorded in real time. There are also external data sources such as weather information, traffic situations or digital building models. So-called BIM data (Building Information Modeling) can improve evacuation planning and situational awareness by providing floor plans, escape routes and occupancy levels, thereby speeding up the navigation of emergency services in the building.
From a scientific point of view, it involves highly dynamic data processing under real stress conditions. This is exactly where the benefits of digital support become apparent. Information must not only be collected, but also processed sensibly.
A well-structured information system bundles this data and presents it in context. This creates a common understanding of the situation in operational command that does not have to be put together from individual reports. One like this Operations information system supports coordination, facilitates the overview of resources and ensures a uniform level of information for all involved forces – from the team on site to the control center.
Digital operations management changes ways of working
With the introduction of digital systems, the way emergency management teams work is also changing. In the past, information was often fragmented. Radio messages, queries and situation updates had to be mentally brought together. Today, relevant information can be made visible in parallel. Maps, status displays and mission history can be viewed at a glance.
Research from work and cognitive psychology as well Insights from crisis visualization prove that information presented in a structured and clear manner can significantly reduce the mental stress on operations managers. This has a positive effect on the quality of decisions, especially in long or complex operations, where increased stress factors put additional strain on the emergency services. It is important that systems are not overloaded. A clear structure and intuitive operation are crucial so that technology is perceived as support.
Digital operations management also creates transparency throughout the entire operation. Decisions are documented, processes can be understood and evaluated later. This traceability is not only relevant for quality assurance, but also for training and follow-up to operations.
Networking across organizational boundaries
Emergencies rarely stop at jurisdictional boundaries. Fire departments, rescue services, police and other organizations must work together. Digital technologies facilitate this collaboration. Joint situation reports, coordinated communication structures and compatible systems reduce frictional losses.
From a scientific perspective, interoperability is a key factor. Systems must be able to share information without compromising security or privacy. Where digital platforms can be used across organizations, a significantly higher level of coordination arises. Decisions are then no longer based on partial information, but on a shared understanding of the situation.
Artificial intelligence as a supporting tool
Another area that is becoming increasingly important is the use of artificial intelligence. In emergency rescue, AI is primarily used to analyze large amounts of data. Historical operational data allows conclusions to be drawn about typical processes and risks can be better assessed.
Predictive models help, for example, to identify operational priorities at an early stage or to plan resources more specifically. In acute situations, AI can evaluate data streams and flag abnormalities. The decision always remains with the person. Technology provides clues, not instructions. What is scientifically relevant here is transparency. Systems must work comprehensibly so that emergency services can classify their recommendations. Trust does not come from automation, but from understandability.
Security and responsibility in digitally supported operations
With increasing digitalization, the responsibility for dealing with sensitive information also increases. Mission data often contains personal information, location information and security-related details. The Protecting this data is essential.
Research in the area of IT security and resilience deals intensively with the question of how systems can function reliably even under disruptions. Redundant structures, encrypted communication and clear access rights are basic requirements. Digital solutions in emergency rescue must remain operational even if the infrastructure is damaged or overloaded.
Scientific findings in everyday use
The success of digital technologies is not determined in the laboratory, but in real use. Systems must function under stress, be operable in poor lighting conditions and work reliably even when situations change quickly. That’s why many solutions are developed and tested together with emergency services.
Simulations, training scenarios and real operations provide valuable feedback that is incorporated into further development. This close exchange between science, technology and practice ensures that digital solutions do not remain theoretical, but offer real added value.
Emergency rescue is therefore an example of an area in which digitalization is not an end in itself, but rather has concrete effects on safety and efficiency. Digital technologies expand the possibilities for action without diminishing the importance of human experience. It is precisely in this balance that its strength lies.
01/27/2026