Why this project matters
Flash floods, extreme storms, drought-related vegetation fires and other emergencies can affect communities on both sides of the border, while volunteer organisations may differ in equipment, procedures and training. RISKHUB addressed this challenge by helping Hungarian and Slovak volunteer firefighters share knowledge, standardise preparedness and test their cooperation under practical conditions. The combination of train-the-trainer activities, e-learning and mobile equipment also supports the continued transfer of knowledge within participating organisations..
Capitalisation
Capacity building relevant
The project strengthened the operational skills of volunteer firefighters through e-learning, train-the-trainer activities, local training and a joint field exercise. Training covered floods, forest fires, incident-team management, first aid and basic training methodologies.
Influenced policy / System change
One of the key outcomes of a project financed under the Interreg Romania–Hungary Programme – the development of e-learning modules on safety, security, and machine handling – has been integrated into this initiative as well, ensuring that the same protocol can be applied across the cross-border area of Hungary, Slovakia and Romania.
Scalable / Replicable
The RISKHUB model combines harmonised training, e-learning, digital tools, mobile response equipment and practical cross-border exercises in an approach that can be adapted to other border regions. Its transferability has already been demonstrated through RISKHUB II and PREPARED ATHU, which further develop elements of the model in the Slovenian–Hungarian and Austrian–Hungarian border regions.
Project type
Last Mile projects
RISKHUB translated cross-border preparedness objectives into practical operations through specialised vehicles and trailers, training, digital learning tools and a large-scale field exercise. The project directly equipped volunteer organisations to respond more effectively to real emergency scenarios.
Achievements
- Specialised mobile response units: four hybrid trailers were equipped for responses to flash floods, storm damage, vegetation fires and first-aid situations.
- Vehicles and operational equipment: the partnership purchased five minibuses, four hybrid trailers and one motorboat to improve mobility, communication and field response capacity.
- Multilingual e-learning materials: online learning content was developed in Hungarian, Slovak and English to support harmonised firefighter preparedness.
- Train-the-trainer programme: selected volunteer firefighter representatives received training and subsequently transferred the acquired knowledge to members of their local organisations.
- Mobile application: the project developed a tool for recording equipment, mobilising available units and supporting the organisation of project events.
- Local and cross-border training: training addressed flood response, forest and vegetation fires, incident-team management, first aid and training methodologies.
- Large-scale tactical exercise: more than 100 participants took part in a joint exercise near Nagyigmánd in May 2022 to test cross-border operational cooperation under realistic conditions.
- Sustainability planning: the project concluded with an evaluation of results and planning for the maintenance and continuation of the developed capacities.
What can be reused
Reusable resources
1. Riskhub field exercise video
2. E-learning Modules
Two Hungarian-language modules are available on operational tactics and coordination and medical support during interventions, including flash floods, wildfires and extreme storms. The e-learning platform supports flexible remote learning and firefighter preparedness.
Operational tactics and coordination:
Medical support during interventions:
3. Mobile Application Manual
An English-language user manual is available for the mobile application developed to support equipment registration, unit mobilisation and the coordination of volunteer firefighter activities.
The App is managed by Budapest Firefighter Association.
If you have any questions regarding the App, send your request to admin@budapest.tuzoltoszovetseg.hu email address.
Reusable concepts
- Train-the-trainer model: preparing key members who can transfer knowledge to other volunteers through local training.
- Bringing training practices closer together: Shared learning materials and joint training helped Hungarian and Slovak organisations develop a more coordinated approach to emergency preparedness.
- Using mobile equipment in emergency response: Specially equipped trailers and vehicles combined transport, communication and rescue equipment in a form that could be quickly deployed when needed.
- Mapping available equipment and capacities: The mobile application was designed to help participating organisations record their resources and support the mobilisation of suitable units during emergencies.
- Testing cooperation through joint exercises: A large-scale tactical exercise allowed Hungarian and Slovak volunteer firefighters to test communication, coordination, procedures and equipment under realistic conditions.
- Building cooperation between volunteer firefighters: The project connected firefighter organisations and municipalities on both sides of the border, creating opportunities for shared training, knowledge exchange and more coordinated emergency response.
Project afterlife
RISKHUB II and PREPARED ATHU are direct follow-up projects that transfer and further develop the RISKHUB approach in the Slovenian-Hungarian and Austrian-Hungarian border regions.
- RISKHUB II transfers and further develops the original model in the Slovenian-Hungarian border region through harmonised training, e-learning, the Volunteer Event Manager application, specialised rescue equipment and joint exercises. Read more about RISKHUB II
- PREPARED ATHU continues and expands the approach in the Austrian-Hungarian border region through climate-risk analysis, joint training, practical exercises, e-learning, drones, VR simulations and public preparedness activities. Read more about PREPARED ATHU
Specific RISKHUB outputs and experience have also been taken up by other European cooperation projects:
PRE_SAFE uses the improved rescue-trailer concept and further develops the e-learning materials with new content. Read more about PRE_SAFE
Alongside RISKHUB, the Budapest Firefighter Association coordinated DiMaND, which developed a glossary of approximately 600 disaster-management terms, available here in all Danube Region languages, to support shared professional terminology and cross-border cooperation. The wider DiMaND knowledge network is now being further developed through InDiMaND, while SAFETY4TMF applies related cooperation and preparedness experience to specific environmental risks in the Danube Region.
Read more about DiMaND
Read more about InDiMaND
Read more about SAFETY4TMF4.