Emergency medical services (EMS) play a critical role during crises — and few situations test their resilience more than a widespread power outage. This was the central focus of the “EMS in a Blackout Scenario” webinar.
The session opened with welcoming remarks and an overview of the day’s objectives, emphasizing that the topic extends beyond technical infrastructure. “This isn’t just a technical issue,” one speaker noted. “It’s about resilience, adaptability, and delivering emergency care under extreme conditions.”
Representatives from Portugal and Spain — two countries that experienced a massive blackout earlier this year — shared first-hand accounts of emergency operations during the crisis. Insights from Germany also provided a research-based perspective on preparedness challenges and strategies.
Among the featured speakers:
Frieder Kircher (Germany), a researcher specializing in blackout scenarios, highlighted the European context and the acute risks to vulnerable populations. He discussed findings from projects with the Berlin Fire Brigade, including:
TankNotStrom: a project tackling fuel logistics for emergency services during outages.
KatLeuchttürme: an initiative establishing “disaster control lighthouses” to provide localized support during prolonged blackouts.
Tiago Augusto from INEM, Portugal, provided a detailed review of national preparedness protocols and how emergency systems were adapted in real-time to maintain continuity of care.
Paloma Rey from SAMUR–Protección Civil, Madrid, Spain, shared operational insights from Madrid’s emergency response during the blackout on April 28. Her account highlighted the coordination and rapid adaptation required to manage critical services without power.
Several pressing issues were brought to light:
Support for Vulnerable Populations: Across the board, experts emphasized the particular risk to individuals reliant on medical equipment (such as dialysis machines), and the logistical issues posed by inoperative elevators and heating systems.
Preparedness Gaps: Kircher pointed to Germany’s struggle in creating a comprehensive register of vulnerable persons, a crucial tool in any disaster response scenario. Progress has been slow, and more proactive measures are needed.
Fuel and Communication Logistics: The availability of fuel for emergency vehicles and backup systems remains a major challenge. Projects like TankNotStrom aim to address this, but implementation varies across countries.
Local Resilience Solutions: KatLeuchttürme, Germany’s model for decentralized disaster support centers, was highlighted as a promising approach that could be replicated elsewhere in Europe.
The KnowEMS consortium continues to emphasize the importance of cross-border collaboration and shared learning in preparing EMS systems for extreme scenarios. Monthly webinars and ongoing research aim to build a more robust, resilient network of emergency medical services across Europe.
As blackout risks rise due to climate events and infrastructural vulnerabilities, the knowledge exchanged in sessions like this one becomes increasingly vital — not just to EMS professionals, but to the broader public relying on their lifesaving services.