Lyon, France, August 2026

From 24 to 28 August 2026, the Horizon Europe project TeamUP will run its first Full-Scale Trial at GFOR in Saint-Priest, Lyon. Hosted by the Rhône Fire and Rescue Service (SDMIS) and the École Nationale Supérieure de la Police (ENSP), the event brings together emergency responders, researchers, technology providers and project partners to test the TeamUP toolkit in realistic operational conditions.

The Lyon Full-Scale Trial marks a major milestone in TeamUP’s validation process. After laboratory tests, usability tests, a small-scale trial and integration activities, the five-day field trial will help demonstrate how TeamUP technologies can support responders during a complex chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive (CBRN-E) incident.

A realistic CBRN-E scenario

The scenario unfolds at a cultural event with large crowds in downtown Lyon: The simulation includes an explosion in a crowded public square, leaving many victims on the ground. Simultaneously, social media messages claim responsibility for a terrorist attack carried out with a dirty bomb. 

An interservice CBRN-E response is activated at the blast site while specialized teams search for the facility where the bomb was manufactured.

Participants will evaluate how TeamUP tools would support key response stages: initial assessment, detection and identification of the radiological threat, search and rescue, triage, decontamination, medical follow-up, and overall management of the incident through coordination between field units and command post.

From preparation to field testing

The five-day trial kicks off on 24 August with technical set-up, briefings and a tour of the tests’ locations, allowing all consortium members to align on procedures, safety requirements and roles.

On 25 August, the TeamUP Scenario Builder as well as the Incident management solution will be used in a simulation based on the dirty bomb scenario mentioned above. The day will also include training on the most complex tools, including the Incident Management System (IMS), the Worksite Operations App (WOA) and the Digital Triage Toolkit (DTT), as well as a technical dry run.

The core activities will take place on 26 and 27 August, with the implementation of the dirty bomb scenario scenario preceded by a tool-focused training. Side tests will also be organized for the tools that do not fall under a radiological and explosive scenario (chemical and biological detection devices). The final day, 28 August, will be dedicated to an evaluation session to reflect on the trial results and the contribution of TeamUP tools to operational readiness.

Operational workshops and side tests

The Lyon Full-Scale Trial centers on several operational workshops focused on the different sequences of the operational response: securing and detecting, identifying and monitoring; searching and rescuing; triaging; decontaminating; coordinating the overall response; as well as medical follow-up; and training.

The workshops are co-led by end users, with the support of the technology owners. This structure allows the consortium to assess tools against concrete tasks and gather feedback from CBRN-E/RAD specialists, firefighters, medical doctors, triage staff and command-level representatives.

TeamUP tools to be tested

Several components of the TeamUP toolkit will be evaluated during the Lyon trial. The agenda includes training and testing for both the main scenario and side tests, covering:

Most components of the TeamUP toolkit will be tested and evaluated during the Lyon trial. The agenda includes training and testing for both the main scenario and side tests, covering:

• Phase 1: Citizens Awareness App, First Responder Wearables, Decision Support Toolkit, UAV Platform, Beta Gamma Detector, RapID explosives identification system and Environmental Sensor
• Phase 2: Digital Triage Toolkit, AR Glasses, Fast Deployable Mass Decontamination system, Body Pose Detection tool
• DIM and decon Side Tests: FemtoMachine, Dover, Backpack LAMP and FET-LAMP (chemical and biological detection, identification and monitoring), Dry decontamination functionality of the Fast Deployable Mass Decontamination system
• Training-related side tests: Mixed Reality Training and Scenario Builder

By testing in a realistic field setting, TeamUP will gauge not only technical performance but also usability, operational value and the ability to improve information sharing between field teams, medical posts and command.

Supporting operational learning

CBRN-E incidents demand rapid coordination, reliable information and solid protection for both responders and affected people. The Lyon trial will be a valuable chance to collect feedback from experienced practitioners on how TeamUP tools perform under realistic constraints: time pressure, protective equipment, communication needs and cross-level coordination.

Feedback gathered during the Lyon trial will feed into the final refinement of the TeamUP toolkit and support preparations for the next Full-Scale Trial, planned for October 2026 in Athens, Greece. While the Lyon trial focuses primarily on testing the tools with experienced CBRN-E specialists, the Athens trial will involve a broader and more diverse group of participants, with a stronger focus on supporting first responders who are less specialised in CBRN-E incidents. This will allow TeamUP to assess how its tools can enhance their skills, confidence and preparedness in a wider range of operational situations.

The two trials will also use different scenarios: Lyon centres on a radiological and explosive incident, while Athens will focus on a chemical/biological scenario. Together, the trials will allow TeamUP to test and refine its approach across different CBRN-E threats, operational contexts and levels of responder expertise.

Strengthening European CBRN-E preparedness

Bringing together first responders, researchers, technology developers and civil protection stakeholders, the Lyon trial supports TeamUP’s goal of boosting preparedness and response capabilities for CBRN-E incidents across Europe.

The results will inform the project’s final development and validation phase and illustrate how an integrated set of tools can enable a more coordinated, informed and effective response to complex CBRN-E emergencies.

About TeamUP

TeamUP is a Horizon Europe project developing an integrated preparedness and response toolkit for CBRN-E incidents. The project brings together 23 partners from seven countries, including research organisations, technology providers, first responder organisations, training centres and civil protection stakeholders.

Event details
Title: TeamUP Full-Scale Trial 1 in Lyon
Date: 24–28 August 2026
Location: GFOR, Saint-Priest, Lyon, France

Hosts: Rhône Fire and Rescue Service (SDMID) and École Nationale Supérieure de la Police (ENSP)
Organisers: SDMIS and ENSP, with support from the TeamUP consortium
Expected outcomes: Assessment of TeamUP tools in realistic operational conditions, structured feedback from CBRN-E practitioners and partners, evidence on the usability and operational value of the toolkit and recommendations for further refinement ahead of the second Full-Scale Trial in Athens.

Funded by the European Union under Project number 101121167. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

Contact:

Communication Lead: Johanniter International (JOIN)
info@teamup-project.eu

Project information:

Duration: January 2024 – December 2026

Coordinator: Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS)

Project number: 101121167

www.teamup-project.eu