Datenräume für den Katastrophenschutz: Kleiner Wegweiser für einen datenzentrierten Ansatz

This White Paper examines the potential of data spaces in disaster management, using
Germany as an example. Local emergency services, municipalities and higher levels of
government need to work together in emergencies. However, a fragmented IT landscape and
interoperability issues often hinder this coordination.
Data spaces offer a promising solution. They are decentralised, federated systems that
securely and efficiently connect different data sources, meeting the needs of many possible
actors. These features are crucial in the context of disaster management, in which emergency
services, private companies, research institutions, and private citizens combine in everchanging constellations. The exchanged data are also diverse. These fall into three broad
categories: open data, protected data from public bodies, and protected data held by
companies or relating to private individuals. This categorisation helps to optimally design the
systems for data protection and sovereignty.
Actors in the disaster management ecosystem gain many advantages from data spaces. For
example, authorities can deploy them to increase the efficiency in communication and
coordination between the decision-making levels, or to improve crisis prevention, e.g. through
simulations. Data availability also improves preparedness and communication among
emergency responders, reducing response times. In private companies, using data spaces
reduces compliance costs, for example those incurred under the EU Data Act (DA).
Furthermore, companies gain access to new markets and develop new business models –
particularly by providing data-based services.
Recent crises – such as the floods of 2021 and 2024 and the COVID-19 pandemic – highlight
the urgent need for data-based and flexible strategies to prepare for and manage crises. An
example from the HERAKLION project shows the potential of data use for crisis management.
The use case focuses on a flood scenario and demonstrates how geodata, terrain models, and
regional statistics combine to improve preparedness, response, and recovery.