The First Planning Conference of the emblematic UCPM Cyprus Earthquake Full-Scale Exercise entitled ΔΗΜΩΝΑΧ (DEMONAX), took place in Larnaka, at the premises of the Cyprus Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC), on the 3rd and the 4th of April 2025.
The main aim of the Conference was to allow the representatives from all Consortium Partners to exchange their experiences, present successful emergency strategies from their own country perspective, and provide insights on their specializations and operational expertise which will be exploited and tested during the implementation of the DEMONAX FSX.
The specific objectives of the Conference were the following:
The Conference presentations were delivered by all participants in accordance to the previous objectives and allowed the implementation of extensive and fruitful discussions regarding the optimal design of the DEMONAX Full-Scale Exercise.
The First Planning Conference of DEMONAX FSX was organised by the Project Coordinator, the Cyprus Civil Defence, and was hosted and coordinated by the DEMONAX Project Manager Mr. Panayiotis Liassides, Assistant Director of Cyprus Civil Defence.
A significant part of the DEMONAX Planning Conference involved organised visits to a number of field sites which can potentially be used for the establishment of the Exercise Base of Operations (BoO), and the implementation of injects which will test the USAR capabilities of the local and incoming response teams. Among others sites, the participants visited the impressive premises of the Cyprus Disaster Response Special Unit (D.R.S.U. - 'EMAK') in Kofinou, Larnaka.
The participants had the opportunity to discuss and exchange views on the suitability of these sites for the fulfillment of the DEMONAX FSX Objectives. The finalisation of the sites' selection process will take place during the DEMONAX Main Planning Conference.
It should also be noted that the Conference was attended by Mr Per Oyvind Semb, the DG-ECHO Project Officer of the DEMONAX Cyprus Earthquake Full-Scale Exercise.
Mr Per Oyvind Semp introduced the operation of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) (which will be tested during the implementation of DEMONAX FSX), and provided his support and guidance with regards to the optimal design and implementation of UCPM Full-Scale Exercises, based on his significant past experience on this topic.
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