International Assistance to Mitigate CBRNE and Natural Disasters in Moldova Tested in major Field Exercise

A powerful display of international collaboration was demonstrated recently in Moldova with a successful large-scale field exercise, conducted on 12 -14 July, under the EURO-MED-REACT project, funded by the EU. This practical operation tested provision of international assistance within the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM). The Exercise scenario provided for a joint Moldova and international response to a series of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) emergencies and natural disasters, across the whole country. The team of International Centre for Chemical Safety and Security (ICCSS) led the exercise, drawing upon their extensive experience in developing, conducting, and evaluating international tabletop and field exercises since 2017. This initiative has been an important element in aligning Moldova and Ukraine's civil protection mechanisms with the UCPM.

The exercise brought together more than 400 national and over 200 international participants from the Czech Republic, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Ukraine, who demonstrated their specialized civil protection capabilities including firefighter components, CBRN units, high capacity pumping teams, Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) units, and medical teams, These countries responded to Moldova's request for assistance within the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM).

An important highlight of the exercise was the debut of Ukraine's CBRN unit on the international stage, marking a significant milestone for the nation that joined UCPM only in spring 2023. Moldova is expected to join UCPM early autumn this year.

The importance of integrating volunteer units into the UCPM was highlighted by the active and successful participation of volunteer fire service brigades from Poland: OSP Frysztak, OSP Cminsk, and OSP Zlotoklos.

The exercise served as a platform for an international meeting themed "Civil Protection Beyond Borders in Practice". The meeting showcased cooperation, initiated and coordinated by ICCSS since 2016, on civil protection, crisis management and chem-bio safety and security in Eastern Europe.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the growing importance of civil protection and CBRN resilience in national and international security. Many international observers from Eastern Europe, EU countries, Middle East, Japan, and the US, highlighted the expanding significance of civil protection and CBRNE resilience in local, national and global contexts.

The participants confirmed need to develop and conduct exercises like these. These exercises collectively improve our ability to respond effectively to increasing CBRN threats and natural disasters, enhancing the safety and security of local communities and countries across borders.

There was a broad coverage of the Exercise in the Moldova media:

https://tvrmoldova.md/article/1f71d694e4fdaae7/peste-150-de-pompieri-din-romania-ucraina-letonia-dar-si-din-alte-trei-tari-au-venit-in-republica-moldova-pentru-a-participa-la-un-exercitiu-tactic.html

https://realitatea.md/foto-exercitiul-de-teren-la-scara-larga-euro-med-react-a-fost-finalizat/;

https://protv.md/actualitate/simulare-de-incendii-la-ialoveni-mai-multi-salvatori-si-pompieri-din-sase-tari-veniti-in-moldova-au-participat-la-exercitii-de-teren-la-scara-larga-foto---2660308.html

https://ambulanta.md/participarea-echipelor-amu-la-exercitiu-de-teren-la-scara-larga-euro-med-react-2023/

https://www.dse.md/ro/communicate/echipele-interna%C8%9Bionale-de-salvatori-%C8%99i-pompieri-care-particip%C4%83-%C3%AEn-exerci%C8%9Biul-de-teren;

https://www.dse.md/ro/communicate/start-exerci%C8%9Biului-de-teren-la-scar%C4%83-larg%C4%83-%E2%80%9Eeuro-med-react%E2%80%9D-2023-foto-igsu

https://www.facebook.com/dse.md/;

https://radiomoldova.md/p/16937/150-rescuers-from-several-countries-came-to-the-republic-of-moldova-for-a-large-scale-joint-exercise-for-the-first-time-volunteer-fire-teams-are-inv

https://esp.md/ro/sobytiya/2023/07/12/exercitiu-euro-med-react-echipele-internationale-de-salvatori-si-pompieri-au;

https://protv.md/actualitate/peste-140-de-salvatori-din-sase-tari-au-ajuns-in-moldova-pentru-a-participa-la-un-exercitiu-de-lichidare-a-consecintelor-unor-inundatii-incendii-sau-accidente-chimice-foto-video---2660191.html;

https://radiochisinau.md/exercitiul-de-teren-euromedreact-2023-sa-incheiat-salvatorii-din-republica-moldova-si-alte-6-tari-au-lichidat-dezastre-simulate---183211.html;

https://orizont.tv/ro/2023/07/12/salvatori-din-sase-tari-au-venit-in-moldova-vor-simula-interventii-la-inundatii-incendii-si-accidente-chimice-radiologice-si-nucleare-video/

For more details about the exercise, visit the EURO-MED-REACT project at www.ecr.iccss.eu. To explore further collaboration opportunities, please visit www.iccss.eu.

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