Interactive mobile application, web technologies and fire simulations in the service of forest fire volunteers

In this paper we present a novel interactive platform for the operational support and training of the forest fire volunteer groups that are accredited through the mechanisms of Civil Protection Services. The proposed system is based on mobile and web technologies, fire simulation techniques and shortest-path routing calculation. The system consists of a mobile application (client) allowing the volunteers to report fire incidents and vegetation types of an area to a Control Center (server). The Control Center is also capable of organizing Training Scenarios, based on fire simulations and detailed safe routes, which are sent to the volunteers´ mobile devices. The system was tested by Greek and Bulgarian volunteer firefighters in the context of the `OUTLAND´ project. The architecture and the functionalities of the proposed system are presented accompanied by figures and indicative screenshots.