When every second counts in a cardiac arrest or avalanche accident, technology can make the difference between life and death. This is precisely where the Swiss company SureVIVE comes in. With its “Momentum” platform, CEO Georg Hauzenberger is developing digital solutions to bring rescue teams together more quickly, in a more coordinated and efficient manner.
In the podcast, the electrical engineer and former Swisscom manager talks to Jakob Barandun (Capricorn Connect) about the vision behind the company, the challenges of modern rescue systems and why artificial intelligence will play an even more important role in the future.
Alerting in seconds instead of minutes
SureVIVE develops mobile alerting and situation management systems for first responders, rescue services and specialized emergency services. The “Momentum” platform is now used in 22 out of 26 Swiss cantons and supports over 40,000 emergency services.
Every minute counts, especially in the event of cardiac arrest. Whereas in the past, emergency services were sometimes organized via lengthy telephone conferences or pagers, today hundreds of volunteer first responders can be alerted simultaneously within around 15 seconds. The app automatically selects suitable first responders according to location or available equipment such as defibrillators.
However, Hauzenberger emphasizes that technology is only one part of the overall system. Strong first-responder networks, sufficient defibrillators and cooperation with communities and organizations are also crucial.
A common picture of the situation for all rescuers
In addition to raising the alarm, the main focus is on networking various rescue organizations. With “Momentum Pro”, emergency services on site receive a joint digital situation picture in real time. This means that mountain rescuers, paramedics, air rescue or slope rescue services can simultaneously see who is already on site, when a helicopter will arrive or which resources are still needed.
The benefits of such systems are particularly evident in avalanche operations. Different organizations – from mountain rescuers and helicopter companies to avalanche dog handlers – have to be coordinated in the shortest possible time. Surevive aims to ensure that everyone involved receives the same information in real time.
Hauzenberger describes the overarching goal with the guiding principle “Tearing Down Boundaries to Save Lives”. This refers to the quick and easy exchange of data between different rescue organizations.
Swiss Emergency Data Hub as a digital hub
The “Swiss Emergency Data Hub” is a key project for the future. This is a joint data exchange platform for various rescue organizations and cantons.
The idea behind it: Mission data, status reports and position information can be shared across organizations in real time. Rescue services, mountain railroads, air rescue services and emergency call centers thus receive an identical picture of the situation and can coordinate their resources more efficiently.
For Hauzenberger, this is precisely the key to modern rescue systems: fewer technical and organizational barriers and more cooperation between all those involved.
Artificial intelligence to further optimize operations
Artificial intelligence is also playing an increasingly important role at SureVIVE. The company now has data from more than ten years of deployment history. In future, this data will be used to make alerting algorithms more intelligent.
The aim is to select emergency personnel even more precisely and dynamically adapt systems to changing situations. Hauzenberger attaches great importance to data protection and the responsible use of data.
AI is not intended to replace people, but to optimize processes and support emergency response organizations in reacting faster and more efficiently.
Meaningfulness as an employer brand
As an employer, SureVIVE places a strong emphasis on meaningfulness and personal responsibility. According to Hauzenberger, many employees make a conscious decision to work for the company because they want to make a concrete contribution to society through their work.
The corporate culture is pragmatic, team-oriented and strongly characterized by people who themselves have experience in the rescue sector. The common goal is clearly defined: To develop technologies that provide the best possible support for rescue workers in an emergency.
Binci Heeb
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