A new laboratory in Berlin is set to enable people to experience disasters and crises virtually, so that authorities and members of the public can prepare for them.
© dpa
In Berlin, realistic crisis scenarios will enable public authorities and members of the public to experience and learn, in an interactive way, how to manage emergency and hazardous situations.
According to the Berlin Fire Brigade, this is to be made possible in a so-called resilience laboratory at Ostbahnhof. An announcement stated that this so-called innovation hub will open next Wednesday.
Above all, the centre will be dedicated to researching, testing, demonstrating and evaluating cooperation between civilian and military actors in crisis and disaster situations. The aim is to strengthen society’s overall resilience in the event of a crisis. Speakers at the opening ceremony will include Research Minister Dorothee Bär (CSU), Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) and representatives of the Bundeswehr. The centre will offer crisis training for public authorities and aid organisations, allowing participants to experience hazardous situations interactively through virtual and physical scenarios. In the event of an emergency, all agencies involved should then be able to act quickly and in a coordinated manner. Furthermore, citizens are to be effectively involved in civil protection through hands-on experience.