Team #14 // Fire Index

1. Partnership

It is often the government that provides information about fire risks, in many scenarios it is the metrological institutes (NMHS National Meteorological and Hydrological Services). We will not compete against the NMHS but instead seek to obtain partnerships with these entities, as it will increase credibility and rubber stamp our product/service. We will start with Denmark, as we have direct contact with the Danish Metrological Institute (DMI). The Emergency Management Agency (EM) is our potential customer and we will seek a close collaboration with them during development, as they hold knowledge of key requirements.

2. Fundraising
In order to get the project of the ground, initial funding is needed. There are several options, such as Innobooster, funds and investors. Forsikring & Pension (F&P) is an industry organization for insurance and pension companies in Denmark who might have an interest in funding this project, as natural forest fires have director impact on costs to insurance companies.

3. Credibility
Gaining credibly is needed, not only to succeed in Denmark and the rest of EU, but also to ensure fundraising. ESA and Copernicus are major rubber stamps that can be obtained as part of Copernicus Accelerator Program and the new ESA BIC starting in Denmark 2020. One key milestone is to go live in Denmark by 1. March 2021 when the potential dry season starts. A financial scenario includes a subscription-based setup with the Danish EM, where DMI delivers the fire risk map and warns of fire risks.

4. Scandinavia
When our solution is successfully operational in Denmark, we will approach the Nordic meteorological institutes, SMHI, MET Norway and FMI. A successful case in Denmark, using DMI as a channel, will ease entry to the Nordic market, as there is close collaboration between all Nordic NMHSes. At the same time, we will approach other companies in different areas, as the fire index solution will result in several sub products with relevance for other parties, such as the agricultural knowledge center (SEGES), Insurance & Pension Industry organization (F&P) and Vestas wind turbine solutions and services.

5. EU
With successful implementations in Nordic countries, our service and company will stand strong with a sustainable solution that can cover all EU countries. While implementing our solution in collaboration with interested north EU countries that are not covered by geostationary satellites, we will begin adapting GEO data to obtain much higher product quality. We will be in direct competitions with Land SAF, but with increased prediction of natural wild fires. This may provide a unique opportunity to sign a contract with EUMETSAT, to further distribute the fire index to all EU metrological institutes. In addition, our service can be used as a future information tool about fire risk situation to policy makers in EU if EEA (European Environmental Agency) could be convinced of the value of our services.

Impact

Global warming can have an increased impact on the number of natural forest fires, and forest fires also contribute directly to the effects of global warming – in other words, this is a self-powering effect that directly addresses the Sustainable Development Goals SDG-13, Climate Action. Furthermore it addresses SDG-15 Life on Land, as forest fires have a negative effect on biodiversity. The solution we are suggesting will lead to a reduction in global wildfires and fatal disasters, more sustainable ecosystems, and improved agriculture.