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Department: Geo-Risks and Civil Security

The research and development work being undertaken by the Civil Crisis Information and Geo-risks department of the German Remote Sensing Data Center (DFD) has the goal of developing thematically relevant information products based on earth observation data, integrating them into IT systems, and operating and continuously optimizing customized user services. The focus is on supporting the entire disaster management cycle in cases of environmental and natural threats, humanitarian crisis situations, and civil security emergencies.

• The thematic products and services are used to make available timely, crisis-relevant information for
• Emergency response and mapping in crisis situations,
• Disaster prevention and evaluating geo-risks,
• Early warning in cases of natural hazards and technology accidents, and
• Reconstruction measures.

The technical work includes developing new analytical methodologies for working with remote sensing data, using and further developing geoinformation technologies, developing thematic remote sensing processors and monitoring systems, vulnerability and risk modeling, and designing and establishing crisis information and early warning systems. The department’s activities are integrated into national, European and international cooperative efforts and closely coordinated with the relevant user institutions.

Together with other DFD administrative units and with the Remote Sensing Technology Institute (IMF), the department is responsible for operating the Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information (ZKI). It supports the United Nations information platform for disaster aid (UN-SPIDER) and has a major role in developing and implementing the GMES “Emergency Response” service.