Team and experts

About

Sebastian Hirschmugl, MSc

Sebastian Hirschmugl is since 2025 the commercial managing director of DMAT and has been an integral part of the DMAT team since 2014. Within the company, he has been responsible for project management in EU research projects, in the area of EU Prevention and Preparedness, and other training projects, and was responsible for office management and the back office, particularly IT administration and data protection.

He completed his apprenticeship as an office clerk in management consulting miraconsult e.U. abgeschlossen.

Risk management, disaster protection, economy and education

Sebastian Hirschmugl not only combines knowledge from the fields of fire service, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, and his master’s degree in “Risk Prevention and Disaster Management,” he is also a certified risk manager and certified specialist trainer in adult education. He further rounds out this combination with his many years of experience as a state-certified management consultant, along with knowledge from the management consulting and business sectors.

Sound knowledge through extensive operational experience

Sebastian gained experience in the field of disaster management in the Lieboch Volunteer Fire Department, where he has been an active member since 2004 and also participated in the youth fire department since 1999. Within the fire department, he has continued his training in a wide variety of areas over the years, completing courses up to the level of fire commander. He has also completed a wide variety of courses in EU Civil Protection Mechanism and has been ready for deployment within the EU Civil Protection Mechanism since 2019.

Sebastian completed his master’s degree in “Risk Prevention and Disaster Management” at the University of Vienna in the winter semester of 2018 and wrote his master’s thesis “Blackout and Crisis Communication” during his studies.

To read the full master thesis, please click here

Master’s program Foreword

Until a few years ago, the term “blackout” was rarely heard, or rather only in specialist circles. While there are now brochures, leaflets, and other materials addressing this topic, the distinction between a blackout and a power outage is still not widely understood among the general public.
In the event of a blackout, as with any other event, efforts are made to resolve the situation as quickly as possible while simultaneously informing the public about the incident and any necessary measures. However, in a blackout, communication is particularly difficult due to the failure of “traditional” means of communication. This raises the question for me about the current provision of adequate preparedness and training for those potentially affected, and to what extent crisis communication already addresses the fact that traditional means of communication are only available to a limited extent during a blackout.

Sebastian’s goal is to prevent disasters as best as possible, to strengthen resilience, and to provide the best possible support in dealing with disaster damage.

About

Brig Gen (ret.) Prof. Mag. Dr. Alois A. Hirschmugl

Prof. Dr. Alois Hirschmugl is the founder and technical director of D.M.A.T. Consulting KG. He managed the business together with Monika Hirschmugl-Fuchs and was primarily responsible for the technical content in the areas of disaster management, preparedness, and prevention. His extensive experience in international disaster relief operations of the United Nations and the European Union is a key asset within the company.

Prof. Dr. Alois Hirschmugl was a career officer (most recently Brigadier) for 44 years, a lawyer, and a United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) member/team leader for 23 years. Since 2006, he has been an EU civil protection expert/team leader and trainer in the EU civil protection procedure, currently mainly within the framework of the resc EU EMT project of the EU.

As a trainer and speaker, he teaches and informs on topics such as international disaster management, legal aspects of disaster relief and peace support operations, the socioeconomic impacts of disasters, and civil-military cooperation for international and national organizations, universities, and government officials in Europe and Africa. He also conducts analyses and investment planning for organizations such as the World Bank and Continuity of Operations/Government Plans for the UN.

As a member of the Austrian Standards Institute, Prof. Dr. Alois Hirschmugl participated in the development of standards for integrated operational management in disaster situations. He is the author of the handbook “Operational Law for Peace Support, Humanitarian, and Disaster Operations” and continues to contribute his expertise to academic papers and studies.

As a member of the Board of Trustees of the World Humanitarian Forum in Geneva, he was able to accompany the global development of humanitarian issues together with Mr. Kofi A. Annan and other high-ranking personalities.

Insight into the expertise from missions

In addition to a peacekeeping mission in Cyprus in 1986, Prof. Dr. Alois Hirschmugl has completed 11 major disaster operations for the UN or EU, and contributes this knowledge to a wide range of training and education programs. Among other events, he participated in the 2000 Great Flood in Mozambique, the 2003 Algerian earthquake, the 2003/2004 Iranian earthquake, the 2004 Bangladesh flood, the 2004/2005 tsunami, the 2006 Indonesian earthquake (EUCP), the 2008 explosion at an ammunition depot in Albania, the 2010 Pakistan flood disaster, the explosion near the Vasilikos power plant in Cyprus in 2011 (EUCP), and a disaster preparedness mission in Palestine in 2014. For over 11 years, he also trained experts from the 15 ECOWAS states in West Africa in disaster management in Ghana. He is/was also a welcome speaker at various events worldwide, from two EU Council Presidencies to the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development (DIHAD) Conference & Exhibition.

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alois_Hirschmugl

About

Mag. Monika Hirschmugl-Fuchs

Monika Hirschmugl-Fuchs was the commercial managing director of D.M.A.T. Consulting KG until the end of 2024.

She managed the business together with Dr. Alois Hirschmugl and was primarily responsible for internal affairs and financial administration. She is involved in the planning and development of projects, as well as their implementation. She is particularly involved in the conception and development of projects and funding applications, as well as financial management. She is also responsible for reporting, social media, and press releases.

Monika Hirschmugl-Fuchs is particularly committed to incorporating aspects of sustainability, protection and assistance for ALL, and conflict prevention and resolution. She also focuses on prevention by integrating risk and environmental management considerations into the projects and topics of D.M.A.T. Consulting KG.

Sound knowledge from theory and practice

Mag. Monika Hirschmugl-Fuchs studied business administration at the University of Graz and completed numerous training and further education courses, particularly in the areas of quality, environmental and risk management, sustainability, CSR and conflict resolution.

Monika Hirschmugl-Fuchs has been working as a management consultant since 1999 and as a self-employed mediator since 2001. Her focus is on supporting individuals, companies, and organizations, even those in difficult situations, in building successful businesses based on the principles of sustainability. She is able to contribute this experience to DMAT KG’s projects. Adherence to ethical principles, resource conservation, and environmentally conscious planning, as well as risk and conflict prevention and the sustainability of project results, are particularly important to her. Through her EU training in sustainability evaluation, she is also happy to address these topics.

In order to live and further develop her focus areas together with others, Mag. Monika Hirschmugl-Fuchs works in various expert groups, working groups, and associations.

Before becoming self-employed, she gained professional experience primarily in tourism, banking and as a trainer.

Team and experts

Sebastian Hirschmugl, MSc

Brig Gen (ret.) Prof. Mag. Dr. Alois A. Hirschmugl

Mag. Monika Hirschmugl-Fuchs

The Company

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