Table 1 Challenges in multi-agency response (own table, based on discussions held with stakeholders listed in subsection Identifying stakeholder needs).

Processes

Redundancies in communication

Communication between key responders runs through multiple control centres, hindering efficiency in responding to incidents

Inefficiencies in information collection

Key responders at a scene cannot see and do not know when other responders will arrive. They obtain this information from the control centre, making it difficult to create a real-time operational picture for all responders

Missing joint overview across agencies

Key responders do not have a common view of resources allocated to the incident, making it difficult to assign incident-relevant information across agencies

People

Silo working cross agencies

Silo work occurs internally and externally, as different processes and procedures are in place. Due to competing goals, these different processes do not always seem to be compatible right away

Data

Lack of sharing information

Relevant incident data is not always shared with other agencies, making it challenging to act proactively

Lack of real-time information

Real-time data, e.g. traffic, weather and flooding information, is not available. First responders on their way to an incident do not know if another road traffic accident has occurred on their route, which may hinder a timely response

Data

Heterogeneous data landscape

Multi agencies have various different system providers, making it difficult to ensure interoperability externally with other agencies

Technology

Lack of third-party software extensions

Existing software is often proprietary, making it challenging to link further third-party software extensions that could be useful for multi-agency response collaboration

Analysis

Lack of real-time analytics

Data analysis is mainly a historical data evaluation of past events and involves little or no real-time data or does not take predictive analysis into account