Report on the Main Planning Conference of DEMONAX Cyprus FSX

The DEMONAX Main Planning Conference provided the platform for the DEMONAX Consortium to discuss and jointly decide on all technical aspects of the DEMONAX Full-Scale Exercise Implementation.

The objectives of the DEMONAX Main Planning Conference were the following:

Present and discuss the latest version of the DEMONAX FSX Scenario and Objectives.
Visit the foreseen Base of Operations and examples of sites where USAR activities are foreseen to be conducted during the implementation of the DEMONAX FSX.
Present and discuss the organisation and functions of the DEMONAX FSX Exercise Control (EXCON) structure.
Finalise the expected operational composition of the International Response Capacities during the implementation of the DEMONAX FSX.
Present and discuss the provision of the Host Nation Support services which will be offered by the Cyprus Republic during the implementation of the DEMONAX FSX.
Present and discuss the current status of the DEMONAX FSX Observers and VIP Programs.
Present and discuss the foreseen DEMONAX FSX injects related to Earthquake and Tsunami information management considerations.
Present the DEMONAX FSX Evaluation Plan and the Lessons Learned from the implementation of past UCPM Full-Scale Exercises.

The DEMONAX Conference Objectives were achieved through the implementation of targeted presentations on each individual topic considered, followed by a structured exchange of views among all participants based on their expertise and past experience. This process led to consolidated decisions regarding all technical aspects of the DEMONAX exercise implementation.

The DEMONAX Main Planning Conference was organised by Cyprus Civil Defence (DEMONAX Coordinating Organisation), and was hosted and coordinated by the DEMONAX Project Manager Mr Panayiotis Liassides, Assistant Director of Cyprus Civil Defence, and by the DEMONAX Project Administrator Ms Andry Papachristoforou, Civil Defence Officer of Cyprus Civil Defence.

DEMONAX Consortium Representatives — The DEMONAX Project Consortium Representatives in Action

The DEMONAX Main Planning 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 discussed the progress of the DEMONAX UCPM Full-Scale Exercise, and also provided guidance on the optimal design, implementation, and management of the associated Observer and VIP Programs, which are foreseen to take place concurrently with the DEMONAX FSX.

The DEMONAX Full-Scale Exercise is expected to take place from the 26th until the 30th of April 2026 in Larnaka, Cyprus. Prior to the implementation of the field exercise, the DEMONAX exercise scenario and all its operational provisions will be tested during the implementation of the DEMONAX Table-Top Exercise which will take place in February 2026.

The final design of the DEMONAX Full-Scale Exercise will be presented and finalised during the implementation of the DEMONAX Final Planning Conference.