From 3 to 6 October, EU MODEX successfully executed a comprehensive earthquake simulation in Montana, Bulgaria. This exercise was designed to test and refine the preparedness of USAR modules from Austria, Greece, Hungary, and Türkiye to respond to the earthquake scenario.
Montana, Bulgaria served as a venue for an extensive earthquake simulation exercise coordinated by EU MODEX. The objective of this simulation was to critically assess and further develop the disaster response capabilities of Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) units from four distinct nations—Austria, Greece, Hungary, and Turkey.
The exercise was built around a hypothetical 6.7 magnitude earthquake impacting the fictional Republic of Modulistan. The imagined affected areas encompassed the municipalities of Montana, Vratsa, and Lik, with Modula City facing significant distress.
The EU MODEX was held for the third time in Montana, Bulgaria in conjunction with an INSARAG reclassification. For this, Bulgaria had significantly upgraded the main exercise site. This is where the value of using EU MODEX exercise sites multiple times becomes apparent. This results in a qualification of the local experts and at the same time increases the willingness for and the benefit of investments at national level in better training facilities. This creates a win-win situation for the host country and the UCPM.
The Modulistan Civil Protection (Local Emergency Management Authority responsible for the coordination of rescue activities in Modulistan) took charge of the national response operations, while the Modulistan Red Cross provided immediate relief by distributing necessary supplies. In light of the scenario, the Government of Modulistan sought international assistance, covering areas from search and rescue to emergency medical aid.
Medium USAR teams from Austria, Greece, Hungary, and Türkiye collaborated in this detailed simulation, operating cohesively across the designated worksites.
Such an exercise granted them hands-on experience reflecting authentic challenges faced during actual crises within EU member states.
This EU MODEX doesn't end today. The experience and lessons learned will be taken forward by everyone involved to make them safer and more effective when deploying to disasters around the world.
As the exercise drew to a close, all teams recognised its effectiveness and success. Importantly, the representative from the INSARAG Secretariat affirmed the USAR team from Hungary's capability to respond on an international scale, meeting the requisite INSARAG standards for medium USAR teams. This confirmation is valid for the next five years.
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