New University Project Boosts Emergency Care and Disaster Training for First Responders

Ostfalia University of Applied Sciences’ Faculty of Health is launching a new research project to strengthen professional training in emergency care and disaster management. The initiative, titled 'HLF R/NK tW – Open University for Control Centers, Fire Services, and Emergency Medical Services', aims to bridge the gap between work experience and higher education for emergency responders. The project will run from 1 June 2026 to 31 December 2028. Researchers Professor Dr. Ilka Benner, Professor Dr. Melanie Lietz, and Professor Dr. Sandra Tschupke will lead the effort. They are working with partners such as the Center for Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine Education, the Interdisciplinary Task Force for Emergency and Disaster Response at Hannover Medical School, and Wolfsburg’s Fire and Disaster Protection Department.

Six training modules will be developed, including 'Pediatric Emergencies in Emergency Medical Services' and 'Operational Incident Management in Large-Scale Disasters'. The programme is designed to be flexible, modular, and transdisciplinary, catering to professionals from control centres, fire services, and rescue teams. Parts of the training will be piloted during the project’s lifetime.

Funding comes from the 'Opening Up Universities' programme of NBank, supported by the European Social Fund Plus and the state of Lower Saxony. The initiative seeks to create a structured path for emergency responders to access higher education. It will provide tailored training to improve skills in critical areas. The project also aims to test and refine its approach through practical trials.