In order to mobilize experts in the field of Emergency Medical Service the consortium partners identified and categorized the different types of EMS providers within the European countries. This action has enabled the consortium to expand its network in the EMS sector, raise awareness on the iProcureSecurity project and its goals, as well as to ensure the continued use of the Online Innovation Hub, even after the lifetime of the project. Next, the consortium partners have built an Expert and Advisory Board (EAB) composed of 20 experts from the EMS field, whose strength lies on their multidisciplinary background, expertise and geographical diversity.
In order to further strengthen pan-European knowledge exchange and collaboration, potential synergies with other international and national research projects, initiatives and networks were identified. Finally, in order to mobilise stakeholders in the field of EMS further the iProcureSecurity platform was launched. The platform targets practitioners as well as industrial partners, researchers and policy makers at various levels. The launched EMS Network (Online Community of Practice) constitutes the core of the platform. The Network builds a broad cooperation mechanism between practitioners and other relevant stakeholders that will be used for a continuous needs analysis and to constantly monitor innovation outputs, while also facilitating closer cooperation of practitioners within the R&D community. The EMS Network is sought to maintain a sustainable cooperation beyond the end of the CSA, to advise on actions during the PCP and will ideally be used in further and future EMS centered projects.
The European EMS Ecosystem analysis started with the official launch of the iProcureSecurity project. The consortium partners concentrated on the definition of the EMS Ecosystem and conducted an extensive literature review on existing reports and scientific articles. A survey, distributed through partners’ networks, was created to map existing emergency service technologies, systems and solutions as well as R&D initiatives and providers of innovative solutions. Two additional surveys were prepared to gain feedback from the EMS practitioners. In total nine workshops were also organized. Based on a case study approach nine detailed scenarios were prepared.
To create a strong impact in the initial implementation phase and raise awareness on the projects’ goal, the consortium partners identified the targeted audience and delivered clear and tailored messages through the appropriate communication channels. A strong web identity and presence was established in order to reach the various interest groups and successfully involve them in an active knowledge exchange process. Several dissemination channels created including LinkedIn and Twitter accounts as well as the creation of dissemination materials to establish two-way dialogues with the wider public.
The major focus of the iProcureSecurity dissemination plan in the first project period was to ensure the widest possible dissemination of the project events and practical outcomes, to the appropriate target communities, at the right timing and via the applicable methods. Awareness on the need for cooperation was raised among all medical emergency practitioners across the EU. The strong use of infographics and intuitive visualizations, helped to promote the iProcureSecurity project. Herby, the online surveys, the stakeholder interviews and the PRIME workshops were the main mechanisms used to mobilize the networks. The workshops for the validation of the tender documents and the final project event, serving as preparation for the upcoming PCP, will play an important role in the implementation of the dissemination strategy in the second project period.
