Field Reports
The Exchange of Experts Programme was established to complement EU training and exercises in the field of civil protection.
IFV
NETHERLANDS
Between 6th and 8th May 10 international experts from 8 countries participated at the Institute for safety (IFV), Netherlands, in an exchange programme focused on increasing the knowledge regarding green vehicles (hydrogen, electric and Liquefied Natural Gas), such as incident management and knowledge gaps of the emergency intervention in incidents regarding such vehicles, formulating questions for the research society aimed to further improve this area of activity Read More
KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence
CYPRUS
KIOS CoE – UCY Training Activity: Operating drones in Emergency Response 10 – 13 September 2019 During the exchange, 15 experts representing 15 eligible countries had the opportunity to undertake a series of training lectures held by the KIOS CoE researchers regarding drones theory and drones technologies for emergency response, as well as Standard Operating Procedures for drone deployment. They also had the chance to take a hands-on flying training and getting a first experience on how to use state-of-the-art software and hardware developed at KIOS (i.e. automated flight mapping, live streaming, data management for emergency response etc). Read More
Skien Fire Service, Forest fire trops of Telemark
NORWAY
Skien Fire Service/Forest fire troops of Telemark, Norway, hosted between 7th and 14th of May, 5 Spanish experts that shared their knowledge regarding prevention measures, intervention tactics and equipment used in case of forest fires, an area less explored by the Norwegian fire and forestall services. Read More
IFV
NETHERLANDS
The Institute for safety (IFV), hosted 6 international experts between 19th and 21st of June, during the International Fire Instructors Workshop, to invite them to share their knowledge and experience regarding practical fire behavior and about non- negotiable and training firefighting techniques. Read More
Fire Rescue Service of the Central Bohemia Region
CZECH REPUBLIC
Between 4th to 10th of November 2019, the Fire Rescue Service of the Central Bohemia Region in Czech-Republic welcomed 9 experts from France, Germany and Portugal in an exchange on a special education programme focused on risks related to emerging challenges (climate changes), namely the increased prevalence of dry weather in central Europe countries. The exchange has resulted in drafting new national SOPs for the Czech Fire Units in order to integrate new techniques and materials that are adapted to the present climate. Read More
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia
LATVIA
State Fire and Rescue Service of Latvia welcomed 9 experts from Germany, between 2nd and 6th of September 2019, to an exchange of information and good practices regarding emergency interventions with focus on CBRN related incidents, as well as to share the Latvian response and preparedness under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Read More
Lot 2 EuroModEx
ROMANIA
The first forest fire module field exercise EU MODEX took place in Croatia, on the island of Cres, in April 2019, under the Lot 2 exercises. Between 7th and 10th of April 2019, 9 international experts had the opportunity to observe the operations of European forest fire fighting modules, but also actively participating as role players in the exercise organized by a Consortium led by CN APELL-RO. Read More
Service Départemental d'Incendie et de Secours de la SAVOIE
FRANCE
The Savoie Fire and Rescue Services from France welcomed 5 experts from Finland search and rescue team, between the 1st and 8th of February 2020, in an exchange focused on high altitude search and rescue in cold conditions. During the exchange, the experts spent several intensive days exchanging knowledge through realistic exercises based on the scenarios of emergencies faced by mountain rescue teams. The exchange represented an added value for the process of updating Finland’s equipment and clothing materials as well as for developing new training on high altitude rescue operations. Read More
Magor NGO Association for Disaster Response
HUNGARY
From the 17 to 19 of January 2020, the MAGOR NGO Association for Disaster Response hosted a canine search and rescue training event took place near Budapest in Hungary with participants from INSARAG classified USAR teams and specialized NGOs. The exchange of experts programme facilitated the participation of one expert from the German Red Cross along with the search and rescue dog Kevlár. The activities enabled the sharing of expertise on search and rescue safely and efficiently operating procedures. Such types of trainings are meant to help the dogs to enhance their natural instincts and use them in a rescue situation, working safely and quickly with their handlers. Read More
Hamburg Fire Service Academy
GERMANY
From the 30th of November to the 5th of December 2019, the Hamburg Fire Service Academy hosted 5 experts from the Albanian Ministry of the Interior in an exchange regarding the preparation of the national emergency management system, with focus on the role of the municipality administration in informing and communicating with the public regarding EU policies. The objectives of the experts were to observe the structure and organization of civil protection departments functioning under the coordination of municipalities as well as the modality of allocation of intervention resources in case of emergency requiring inter-institutional cooperation. Read More
Israel Fire & Rescue Authority
ISRAEL
Between 16 to 19 of December 2019, the Israel Fire and Rescue Authority hosted two Romanian experts from the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations in an exchange on HAZMAT emergencies. The objective of the exchange was to learn more about CBRN procedures such as monitoring, handling, storage and transport of hazardous materials and hazardous waste management protocols. The exchange will result in the updating of the guidelines for procurement of new equipment for the Romanian CBRN teams as well as the upgrade on the national CBRN operating procedures. Read More
Frederiksborg Fire & Rescue Service
DENMARK
Between the 2 and 4 of September 2019, the Frederiksborg Fire & Rescue Service from Denmark welcomed 4 Estonian experts, in an exchange focused on the prevention of domestic fires and accidents. During the exchange, the experts worked on new standard operational procedures in fire fighting and tested multiple types of new systems designed for these types of emergencies. They have observed systems for discharging fog (water vapours), inside an affected room, in order to minimalize the damages done by water during a classic intervention. They have also got the chance to witness systems used for lowering the oxygen level to the point that the fire is extinguished, while the human body is not severely affected. The exchange has resulted in the integration of some new techniques and equipment in the Estonian specific SOPs. Read More
Israel National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA)
ISRAEL
From the 1 to 5 of July 2019, the National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA) from Israel hosted an exchange focused on disaster risk reduction and civil protection activities. The two experts from the Directorate for Emergency Management of Montenegro that have attended the exchange were interested on actions and guidelines for developing the National Risk Assessment Plan. Following the exchange, the experts will also draft recommendations on reorganizing their national emergency management system by implementing specific techniques of the division of competences and responsibilities that they have witnessed during the exchange. Read More
Department for International Relations, National Directorate General for Disaster Management
HUNGARY
13 experts coming from 6 countries attended to an international course in Hungary between 2nd and 6th of September 2019, focusing on electronic data collection in line with UN INSARAG guidelines. All the experts who participated were members of international rescue teams from Czech Republic, Germany, Israel, Qatar, Jordan and Romania. Mentors from the Hungarian HUNOR and HUSZÁR teams joined and helped the international experts. The course was organized for the second time by the Disaster Management Directorate of Tolna County, Hungary. After the short theoretical training, the experts useed KoBo Toolbox on a training ground, specially designed for disaster management exercises, and later on near to the settlements of Kisújbánya and Óbánya. Read More
Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management
ICELAND
In the period 2 to 6 of December 2019, the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management of the National Commissioner of Iceland hosted 5 experts from Azerbaijan Ministry of Emergency Situations, in an exchange on the theme of cold conditions search and rescue. The activities were focused on the methodologies and training processes used by the Icelandic search and rescue teams as well as on the legal base of the search and rescue services functioning. The exchange’s objective was to offer the opportunity for the Azerbaijani Civil Protection Authority to identify and prioritize the needs of their national search and rescue teams. Read More
Civil Protection Agency - Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol
ITALY
Civil Protection Agency - Autonomous Province of Bolzano - South Tyrol has welcomed 6 experts from Portugal between 11th and 16th of November in an exchange focused on the analysis of coordination and integrated response capacity of Civil Protection agents in situation of Major Incidents. As a double way exchange consisted in sharing experiences between the experts and the host organization's representative, the exchange has resulted in drafting new preventive strategies, rapid and adequate mobilization of resources in Major Incidents and new Strategies for coordination of resources of different entities in events of greater magnitude. Read More
Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue (RS)
NORWAY
During the exchange hosted by the Norwegian Society for Sea Rescue (RS), 30.09. - 04.10.2020, 5 French experts had the opportunity to undertake a series of practical training regarding Coastal/Sea Rescue and theoretical courses on prevention and preparedness to submersion maritime risk. During the exchange, the experts benefited from practical demonstrations of technical aspects such as helicopter underwater escape training or hypothermia equipment for first responders . As this was a mutual exchange between the group of experts and the host organisation’s members, shared knowledge and techniques have helped to improve the emergency services response to technical risks in islands, costal areas and at seas. Read More
Bataillon de Marins Pompiers de Marseille
FRANCE
A five days exchange took place at the Bataillon de Marins-Pompiers de Marseille, in the period 09 - 13 March 2020. 10 German fire-fighters from the Fire and Rescue Service of Hamburg were hosted for an exchange focused on fire fighting standard operational procedures concerning accidents involving Hydrogen. The activity facilitated the exchange of information, tactics and hand-on experience and provided the German experts with the appropriate information and tools for further developing new trainings and procedures regarding these very specific events. Read More
Forest fires Operational Centre.- INFOCA, ANDALUCÍUA. Consejería de Sostenibilidad, Medio Ambiente y Economía Azul.
SPAIN
Department for Emergency Situations
ROMANIA
State Fire Service, Poland, 13-14.09.2022 - National System Rescue Service, Finland, 12-16.10.2022 - National System Civil Defence, Jordan, 05-09.12.2022 - Medical Emergencies Civil Protection Directorate, Bulgaria, 31.01-02.02.2023 - Early warning system Communication Services, Estonia, 04-07.09.2024 - Early warning system Civil Protection, France, 14-18.04.2024 - Forest fires Read More
Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha / Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha / INFOCAM
SPAIN