For many years, the general idea was that flood risk could only be reduced by dykes and other spatial adaptation measures. But projects are showing that these measures are not enough, and that improved crisis management and recovery from climate-related floods are recommended. For example, the impact of a flood is not known by the stakeholders involved and evacuation options are not well identified or implemented.

To improve, organisations involved in crisis management face two challenges.

Firstly, the risk perception and self-efficacy of citizens, organisations and politicians is low, with the result that the capacity and readiness to act is also low.

Secondly, evacuation planning and infrastructure often fail to take account of climatic crises, and long-term resilience is hardly taken into account when rebuilding after a flood.

The FIER project partners aim to increase society's resilience and minimise the impact of flood-related crises by developing and implementing new approaches and routines focused on changing behaviour and improving the infrastructure of crisis management organisations so that they can act before, during and after a rainfall or climate-induced flood.

In order to achieve its objectives, the FIER project is divided into 3 work packages:  

• WP1: Awareness raising and promoting self-efficacy for climate-induced flood crises.
• WP2: Improved emergency response during climate-induced flood crises.
• WP3: Enhancing capacities for resilient recovery after climate-induced floods.

BUILDERS is using a drone measurement and monitoring technique to help detect the first signs of water transfer that could lead to a breach in the dyke.

The drone can access different parts of the dyke and carry out a rapid survey of the structure. It will be equipped with a sensor (thermal, multi-spectral) to detect these problems in the dyke. Test sites, in Normandy and in partner countries, will be referenced in order to vary the measurement conditions and the types of dykes (in accordance with aerial drone deployment rules).

The FIER project has a budget of €3.8 million, €2.3 million of which is being co-financed by the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) as part of the Interreg North Sea programme.