Analysis of operational challenges and civil preparedness in Europe
Executive summary
The analysis reveals a growing mismatch between the response capabilities of traditional emergency services and the complexity of modern crises in Europe. The challenges identified are not only logistical in nature, such as vulnerable infrastructures and saturated communication networks, but are also deeply rooted in human behavior, manifested in a lack of preparedness and panic reactions that hamper operations. Faced with these facts, a purely state-based approach is deemed insufficient. The future of civil protection lies in the development of “collective resilience”, a concept actively promoted by the European Union.
Evakit is positioned as a strategic response to this need. More than just a survival bag, it is designed as a physical and educational tool that not only ensures civilians’ autonomy during the critical 72 hours following a disaster, but also acts as a catalyst for a culture of preparedness. Together, our greatest challenge is to overcome the psychological barriers associated with the perception of civic responsibility and align ourselves with European civil security initiatives.
1. Context and framework of analysis
1.1. Recrudescence des Crises et l’Impératif de Résilience Européen
Europe is facing an increase in the frequency and severity of crises, whether natural or man-made. The devastating floods in Germany and Belgium in 2021 and the large-scale forest fires in southern Europe
The European Union has responded to this new reality by adopting a more proactive approach, formalized by the “Preparedness Union” strategy. This initiative, along with rescEU (the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism), reinforces the objective of resilience at all levels, from national to local. It is now recognized that civil protection is a strategic dimension of collective security, and that the involvement of populations is essential to push back the saturation point of response systems.
1.2. Objective: Close the “72-Hour Gap
This analysis focuses on the first 72 hours following a disaster. This period is crucial, as it corresponds to the estimated time required for authorities and humanitarian organizations to overcome initial shortcomings and deploy a coordinated, effective response. Organizations such as the WHO certify medical teams capable of intervening within this timeframe, validating the importance of this period for the relief chain. The aim is to map the operational difficulties that arise during these 72 hours in order to guarantee citizens’ autonomy, thus reducing the pressure on emergency services (while waiting for help, you are the help).
2. Operational and logistical difficulties faced by emergency services
2.1. Inter-Agency Coordination and Command Challenges
The management of a large-scale crisis is hampered by the multiplicity of players involved and the fragmentation of their chains of command. The armed forces, fire and rescue services (SDIS), medical teams (SAMU) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the Red Cross or Médecins Sans Frontières often operate with separate communication protocols. The NATO report underlines the difficulty of establishing responsibilities when many players are involved, with unclear chains of command. This observation, although made in a military context, applies directly to civil security. Lack of coordination can generate errors, misunderstandings and inefficiencies. A citizen’s emergency bag must therefore be designed to operate in this fragmented operational environment, providing generic instructions and a variety of emergency numbers, thus avoiding dependence on a single authority which may itself be in difficulty.
2.2. The Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructures and Networks
The modern infrastructures that underpin crisis response are paradoxically highly vulnerable. Telecommunications networks are often the first to fail in the face of traffic overload during disasters, which can lead to their complete breakdown. The emergency services also advise limiting calls and preferring SMS or social networks to avoid saturating the lines.
This digital fragility contrasts with the resilience of analog technologies. Modern alert systems such as FR-Alert in France, based on cellular broadcasting (cell broadcast), are designed to avoid network saturation by sending notifications via radio waves. However, these alerts are not received if the phone is switched off or in airplane mode. The simple fact of owning an FM radio, a component universally recommended in emergency kits, becomes an operational necessity to guarantee access to information in the event of systemic failure. Evakit not only includes this type of equipment, but also educates users on the reasons for this redundancy.
In addition to telecommunications, energy and transport networks are also at risk. Flooding can make roads impassable and cause power, gas and running water cuts. The failure of these networks considerably exacerbates the damage and complicates rescue operations.
2.3. The logistical complexities of evacuation and confinement
The logistics of mass evacuations are a major challenge. The presence of civilian vehicles on evacuation routes can create massive traffic jams, hampering the progress of emergency services. Civil protection guides are reminding people not to stay in their vehicles, to clear the way for emergency services. What’s more, managing the specific needs of certain populations, such as the elderly, children or pets, adds another layer of complexity to evacuation planning.
In the event of forced confinement, as during the COVID-19 pandemic, logistical challenges take on a different form. Business closures and disruptions to international and transatlantic transport have led to supply disruptions in entire sectors of the economy, from construction to food services.
In such situations, citizens, if ill-prepared, can become a logistical obstacle. Spontaneous donation initiatives by the general public, although well-intentioned, can complicate the task of the emergency services by clogging up disaster areas and requiring logistics to manage donations. On the other hand, a well-prepared citizen becomes an “autonomous logistics unit”, capable of covering its own basic needs. By ensuring that individuals are self-sufficient for the initial 72 hours, Evakit reduces the burden on emergency services, enabling them to concentrate on the most critical missions.
3. Civilian Behavior and Preparedness: A Strategic Issue
3.1. The Issue of Lack of Preparation and Perceived Responsibility
A significant proportion of Europe’s population do not feel responsible for their own safety in the event of a disaster, believing that this task falls primarily to the authorities and emergency services. This lack of preparation has a direct impact on the smooth running of operations. One study has shown that false alarms, perceived as unjustified, can lead to an increase in the evacuation refusal rate, which can rise from 5% to 20%. This refusal is often linked to a reluctance to leave familiar surroundings and the lack of a concrete fallback plan. Having a ready-to-use emergency kit and a pre-established personal plan makes evacuation less intimidating and more concrete, reducing psychological resistance and improving compliance.
3.2. The Critical Role and Limits of Warning Systems
The effectiveness of modern warning systems (such as FR-Alert) depends to a large extent on the public’s immediate and appropriate reaction. However, in crisis situations, individuals are often faced with cognitive overload. Civil security guides provide long lists of behaviors to avoid (don’t take the elevator, don’t pick up your children from school, don’t retrace your steps). Stress, fear and panic reduce the cognitive capacity to retain and apply these instructions.
To counter this effect, Evakit has been designed as a physical cognitive guide. By organizing content logically and integrating a series of downloadable guides, the Evakit ecosystem transforms a list of instructions to be memorized into a sequence of tangible actions to be followed. The simplicity of the design and immediate accessibility of the items become an essential safety feature, enabling civilians to react thoughtfully rather than give in to panic.
4. The Concept of 72-Hour Autonomy: Foundations and Official Recommendations
4.1. The 72-Hour Principle and its Role in the Rescue Chain
The notion of 72-hour autonomy is the foundation of modern civil preparedness. This period corresponds not only to the estimated time needed to set up a coordinated response by specialized emergency services, but also to the critical period during which essential services (water, electricity, gas) can be cut off. This concept enables the authorities to focus on the most critical priorities, such as saving lives, in the knowledge that the majority of the population is able to meet its basic needs in the first few days.
4.2. Evaluation of Official Recommendations in Europe
Official recommendations for the composition of a 72-hour emergency kit are remarkably consistent across Europe. Lists provided by national governments and European Union initiatives consistently include the same basic items: water, non-perishable food, battery-powered radio, first-aid kit, important documents and cash. This standardization of the “what” demonstrates that the market needs not a new emergency concept, but superior execution. Innovation for the Evakit bag therefore lies not necessarily in the components themselves, but in the way they are packaged and presented, and in the added value provided in terms of ergonomics, resilience and pedagogy. The quality of its design lies in its ability to transform a collection of objects into a strategic tool.
5. evakit as a pillar of collective resilience
Evakit is the perfect answer to the complex challenges of civil protection in Europe. By bridging the “72-hour gap”, it transforms the individual from a potential victim to be rescued, into an autonomous and resilient unit, actively contributing to the overall crisis response capability. It’s not just a survival product, but the materialization of a new approach to civil security, where responsibility is shared between authorities and citizens. It embodies the crucial transition from a culture of reaction to one of preparation.
