FORMATEX23: ‘Lessons learnt and way forward’
After two years of successful activities, the FORMATEX23 UCPM Full-Scale Exercise (FSX) project marked its final step with a ‘Lessons learnt and way forward’ workshop in Brussels on 22–23 November 2023.
By Knowledge Network – Staff member
The FORMATEX23 FSX took place in Linz, Austria, from 14–16 of September, and involved ten project partners and over 600 participants from eight EU countries. The full-scale multinational and multi-agency exercise involved national and regional emergency response organisations and structures, as well as specific emergency response elements. It aimed to improve and strengthen cooperation among European members in the context of major accidents triggered by natural hazards. The exercise scenario focused on multiple industrial accidents in and around the city of Linz, triggered by an intensive flooding event along the river Danube.
In addition to the FSX, the project featured a variety of side activities, planning meetings, workshops and seminars aimed at contributing to a deeper awareness of the UCPM missions and their activation.
The final activity related to the project was represented by the FORMATEX23 ‘Lessons learnt and way forward’ workshop in Brussels on 22–23 November 2023. The workshop was hosted at ECHO headquarters.
"FORMATEX23 was essential in addressing the need for improved preparedness in handling NaTech events and enhancing CBRN capabilities. The exercise highlighted the importance of solidarity among European countries and underscored the ongoing commitment to better prepare for and respond to similar events in the future".
During the workshop, consortium members had the opportunity to look back at the FSX and at the two years of related activities, with the aim of highlighting the main achievements of the project and identifying areas of improvement for future exercises. Partners have identified the main take aways from the project below:
• Exercise evaluation as an essential pillar in full-scale exercise projects;
• The need for revision of the European Union Civil Protection Team (EUCPT) selection process, as well as the re-assessment of its role within the EU;
• Enhanced use of technical experts within the EUCPT;
• Strengthened interoperability of chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear (CBRN) capabilities and ability to manage environmental implications;
• Official EU observers programme to be kept at a manageable size of approximately ten members;
• Active involvement of observers within exercises through the assignment of observation tasks;
• The importance of involvement of all national authorities at an early stage of a project to foster stakeholder involvement during the planning phase;
• Enhancing the exchange of lessons learnt within the community and amongst different projects through the organisation of dedicated after-project workshops.
To conclude the workshop, participants visited the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) to learn more about how it supports countries hit by disasters through expertise, human resources, and specialised relief equipment.
"FORMATEX23 is a great example of how to be better prepared in a real emergency. It makes the difference in delivering an efficient and effective response and saving lives".
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The Knowledge Network – Staff member
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