Leading up to these dates, there was extensive work with early warning early action trainings, such as active monitoring and early detections of fires to trigger anticipatory actions. Drones have been used to pratcice detecting fire risks, start rapid mapping action, to support rapid assessment and to understand the behaviour or the fires, for example near buildings and the urban interface of fires.
”Early warning to early action measures have the power of drastically reducing the number of wildfires. Our aim is to make sure that fires don’t even start, to safeguard the environment. However, when a fire starts, scientific organisations embedded in the Civil Protection system can also provide reliable tools for increasing situational awareness during operations making response more efficient. Davide Miozzo Deputy Team Leader and Early Warning Systems Expert said during the exercise.
Davide Miozzo, CIMA Research Foundation and Louise Bengtsson, MSB. Photo: Marina Mantini, CIMA Research Foundation.
There has been a systematic approach to integrate cross-cutting issues into the planning and implementation of the exercise. There was an established code of conduct and feedback and complaints mechanism to ensure a respectful and safe environment for all participants.
Forest fire scenario with chemical-biological-radiological-nuclear impacts and activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism
The scenario started with the winter and spring having much less rainfall than in other years and this was followed by a particularly hot spring and summer. Georgia and its neighbouring countries have worked extensively on early warning systems that provides the opportunity for early action in relation to forest fires. Despite this, there was a growing forest fire that they were unable to contain without additional resources. In a different location in the country there was a virtual, simultaneous but unrelated, CBRN event. The participants also needed to act on other emergencies such as car accidents and missing people.
“Together with the Georgian Emergency Management Services we designed the exercise to create challenging situations for the responders, so they can do assessments, make decisions, and react accordingly. This exercise provided a unique opportunity for the participants from the region and beyond to jointly get ready for responding to wildfires. The field experience they gain will increase their mission readiness and contribute to their learning process. Success is only possible with the joint efforts of our very international team.” Kinga Perge, Exercise Director explained from the Exercise Control field office in the Base of Operations.
Kinga Perge, Exercise Director, MSB explaining the exercise during a high level visit from DG ECHO. Photo: Johanna Rixer, MSB.
In addition to local and national response, the exercise required international assistance and the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). More than 350 emergency operators assisted, with teams from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, Italy, and Sweden.
Activation of all-inclusive civil protection systems and operational planning
In order to enhance the Emergency Preparedness capabilities the PPRD East 3 programme works with all civil protection systems, civil society and volunteers. This is crucial to strengthen the response planning processes. During the exercise, Red Cross participants from Georgia, Ukraine and Italy trained Search and rescue, psychosocial support and first aid. “Situational awareness and operational planning is crucial during a properly coordinated response. All the operational structures have to part of it, particularly in case of international deployments. Our aim is to have an enhanced coordination capacity, testing the integration of different procedures and the interaction with high level situational awareness provided by research components.” Lorenzo S. Massucchielli, Planning and Preparedness Expert.
Search and Rescue. Photo: Annalisa Ausilio, Italian Red Cross.
During an operation, the all-inclusive Civil Protection System approach, triggers the possibility to have a unique operational plan, effective coordination and support, with a positive impact on the effectiveness of the activity and a significant cost reduction, such as common and shared logistics, integrated communication, and avoiding overlapping activities. This approach also supports the integration of the community, ensuring better preparedness and augmented resilience.
Partners getting closer to the Union Civil Protection Mechanism
On day 2, there was a parallel high level meeting with representation from all partner countries, the consortium and DG ECHO. This included a morning conference with presentations on the PPRD East programme and capacity development within the region. In the afternoon, the group visited the field exercise, where they met all teams and were able to see how the exercise was executed and the teams working together. Man power, Fire engines, Helicopters and drones were used.
DG ECHO Director for Prevention and Preparedness Hanna Jahns participated the whole day. “All partners’ participation is a clear manifestation of European solidarity in action and an example of fruitful regional cooperation that will echo beyond the Eastern Partnership region. This is important to the EU – having mechanisms established for preparedness and response. I am happy to see how our partners are getting closer to the Union Civil Protection Mechanism”, Jahns says in a statement to local media.
Partnership and ownership is key
The PPRD East 3 Programme has a supportive approach to capacity development, where partnership and ownership is key. Peter Glerum, Team leader concludes: “We build on existing capacity and adapt to the needs and priorities in each partner country. With this the programme achieves a strengthened alignment with the European Union civil protection mechanism and a safer future for all partner countries. This exercise was an example of how this works in practice. We were very happy with the results seeing everybody from different countries and backgrounds working together.”
Follow the link to watch the film about the TbiEx2023