Project Highlights
rescEU CBRN-DSIM-IT
AT THE FOREFRONT TO PROTECT CITIZENS,
INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT
The European Union, recognizing the increasing threats to public safety and critical infrastructure from CBRN incidents, has enhanced its focus on safeguarding public spaces and critical infrastructures.
The rescEU program, established to boost disaster preparedness and response across Europe, includes reserves for firefighting, medical emergencies, and now, CBRN risks, featuring decontamination and detection capabilities.
In 2023, significant funding was allocated to Italy, Poland, and Romania to develop rescEU detection capabilities, available for EU Member States from 2026.
The rescEU-CBRN-DSIM-IT project, funded with over 26 million euros, aims to create advanced CBRN detection, sampling, identification, and monitoring capabilities, focusing on a modular capacity deployable in large-scale events for preventive and response actions, with real-life testing at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
This initiative seeks to significantly enhance the EU’s ability to handle CBRN emergencies, improving member states’ safety and security.
Innovation in Training
Within the framework of the rescEU-DSIM-CBRN-IT project, SAFE is tasked with developing and coordinating training programs that integrate emerging technologies like virtual and augmented reality.
This approach enriches the learning experience for the National Fire Corps and Civil Protection personnel. Over €4 million of the funding is allocated to SAFE for the transformation of the former NATO Calvarina base into a state-of-the-art training facility, showcasing a model for the virtuous reuse of abandoned military assets.
Calvarina Testing & Training Area
The project leverages the Calvarina site for virtual reality-based training, allowing emergency situations to be simulated without the use of actual hazardous substances.
This method ensures immersive, effective, and safe training, with the equipment also being tested for logistical capabilities and self-sufficiency over extended periods.
Community and Sustainability
The rescEU initiative is part of a broader effort to repurpose the Calvarina base and make it not only a center of training and testing excellence but also an area
accessible for use by the public and institutions, with sustainability and innovation goals.
SAFE’s collaborations extend to prestigious institutions and projects focused on applied robotics, satellite technology, and training for war correspondents, emphasizing the conversion of decommissioned facilities into valuable community resources.
The rescEU-CBRN-DSIM-IT project exemplifies Italy’s, particularly Veneto’s, leadership in civil protection innovation. This endeavor not only underscores Italian excellence in a critical sector but also represents a collective commitment to citizen safety and well-being. Through this initiative, thanks to its crucial role in the rescEU-CBRN-DSIM-IT project, Fondazione SAFE reaffirms its dedication to security innovation, offering new training opportunities for emergency responders and contributing to the advancement of operational capabilities, in a unique testing setting.