Creative start-ups for and from the blue light scene

With a wealth of ideas, companies are constantly developing new, interesting services and products in the area of emergency response. At INTERSCHUTZ, young start-ups will be presenting themselves at a large joint booth (hall 16/F48) from June 20 to 25.

Preparation via e-learning

Whether in everyday use or in disasters: The work of fire departments and rescue services is mentally demanding, and their workers have to deal with a lot. In the most diverse areas of life, they experience conflict situations that often bring them to the edge of their strength. For the first time, a young start-up is now offering a professional e-learning programme to prepare them for emotionally stressful missions. Brand Punkt is one of 20 companies presenting their services and products at the Young Innovative Companies joint stand.

The company is also an example of the creativity and inventiveness of many founders. One of them is Hermann Zengeler. Among other things, he was the chief of a fire department for 25 years before giving up his job in the civil service. Together with his partner Carina Ott, he founded Brand Eins. Two tragic deaths of fellow firefighters had moved him to take the step three and a half years ago. His goal: to prepare people mentally and emotionally for emergency service. ‘I no longer wanted to understand leaving people alone with the issue,’ he says. It is true, he says, that there is care and psychological support after stressful deployments. But prevention, preparation for stressful situations and images, is not considered.

With Fireproof360°, Brand Punkt presents an e-learning programme that is designed to prepare firefighters for stressful situations, stabilize their motivation and make them strong for mentally demanding service. Analysis data support the leaders of the fire brigades to initiate targeted measures to keep the readiness of their members high or to recognize motivation lows at an early stage and to be able to counteract them. Visitors can test the e-learning method at INTERSCHUTZ.

‘Interschutz has a great power of attraction’

The company Firedrill is also represented at the joint stand of young innovative companies. Firedrill brings the topic of fire prevention into the digital age. ‘We are insanely happy to be able to present ourselves, because INTERSCHUTZ has a great power of attraction,’ says Jens Thiemann, one of the two managing directors. His start-up is just two years old. In the meantime, numerous companies have already used his app, which enables employees to independently complete the safety exercise regularly prescribed in companies on their smartphones. ‘At the same time, this enables them to develop a routine and be better prepared for emergencies – without having to rely on random participation in the group exercises that rarely take place,’ explains Jens Thiemann. Exercises are conducted exclusively in the real environment at the workplace using augmented reality. The exercise shows the main escape route from the starting room to the assembly point and must be completed in full. The application also displays helpful additional information along the route, such as the location of fire extinguishers and fire alarms.

‘Firedrill is the new and flexible solution for hands-on evacuation drills in a changing workplace – even or especially because of the Corona pandemic,’ emphasizes the CEO. ‘Thanks to mixed reality technology, the exercise is not simply consumed like a video, but actively experienced on site.’