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modex Croatia

Testing Interoperability in Crisis: The 2024 Medulin MODEX

By Knowledge Network – Staff memberPublished on

The most recent MODEX exercise, held in Medulin, Croatia, from 7 to 11 October 2024, was part of Cycle 12 (2024-2026) and aimed to enhance collaboration between European civil protection teams.

Known as ModTTX1, it focused on a forest fire scenario and was organised by a consortium led by the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), in cooperation with the Croatian Ministry of the Interior and other members of the Consortium  from Belgium, Slovenia, and Portugal.

Scenario Overview

The scenario simulated a fast-spreading forest fire in the Istria region. High winds pushed the fire through several municipalities, endangering over 90,000 residents and tourists. The fire resulted in losses and infrastructure damage and local firefighters were quickly overwhelmed as the situation escalated. The challenging landscape in the area and disrupted communication networks added further complexity to the response.

The Croatian authorities activated the UCPM after exhausting local resources, calling for international support to maintain firefighting efforts, ensure water supply, and provide technical assistance aimed at restoring communication in the most endangered areas.

For me, this exercise was both interesting and challenging. It was my first time being a Team Leader in a tabletop exercise, and it was a great opportunity to gain new knowledge and ideas while meeting new colleagues.

It is fascinating to see how quickly ten different European modules and an EUCPT team can work together smoothly and efficiently. The exercise offered a safe environment to test European processes in real-time.

Lessons Identified and Outcomes

Lessons identified from the exercise emphasised the importance of having interoperable communication systems in place when they are most needed. When mobile networks went down early in the scenario, teams had to rely on alternative methods to coordinate their actions. The exercise also highlighted the need for adaptability and self-reliance, as local resources were quickly overwhelmed. Additionally, it provided insights into the challenges that can arise during long-term deployments.

During the event civil protection modules/ORC were able to practice and enhance their protocols in a secure setting. As Antonin Petr, one of the main trainers, noted: “EU Modules Table-top Exercises offer a unique opportunity for experts to practice their skills in close-to-real conditions, helping to ensure they are fully prepared for actual field deployments”.

This kind of practical training is essential for ensuring that the UCPM continues to provide effective and well-coordinated assistance during emergencies across Europe.

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