Slovenia: SIQUAKE2020
In October 2021, a full-scale civil protection exercise organised by the SIQUAKE2020 project successfully took place in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
By Knowledge Network – Staff member
SIQUAKE2020
In October 2021, a full-scale civil protection exercise organised by the SIQUAKE2020 project successfully took place in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
The exercise scenario was based on a strong earthquake striking the country’s cultural and economic centre.
The two-day exercise was designed to test national and coordination procedures, as well as UCPM procedures, by incorporating various international response capacities into a national response.
Ahead of the training, various activities, such as workshops on mass shelter, Host Nation Support, civil protection exercises, and missions during a pandemic, encouraged cooperation among different stakeholders at various levels.
Participants and activities
Over 650 members of Slovenian rescue teams and services took part in the training. They carried out tasks in a range of fields: USAR (urban search and rescue), water purification, medical treatment, structural engineering, damage assessment, shoring, and emergency shelter.
The rescue activities were coordinated by civil protection headquarters at local, regional and national level. A European Civil Protection Team (EUCPT) and a Technical Assistance and Support Team (TAST) supported the work of the Slovenian hosts. The EU Emergency Response and Coordination Centre (ERCC) provided further support remotely.
Exercise management and logistics
More than 200 role-players, instructors and evaluators from Croatia, Hungary, Austria and Italy, together with employees of the Slovenian Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, prepared and implemented the exercise.
The event was held across 11 working sites for USAR activities, one site for the temporary shelter and emergency medical assistance, and 31 locations for damage assessment. It tested Host National Support activities and interoperability between national and international rescue teams in various fields, all within a pandemic environment.
The very first virtual EU Observers Programme provided a live feed from the field and presentation of the exercise to more than 80 participants viewing online. It was complemented by an extensive media and public awareness campaign.
COVID-19 safety
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the organisers, in coordination with the Slovenian National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ), developed a series of measures to mitigate possible COVID-19 health issues onsite. The aim of the measures was to contain the spread of disease and to make SIQUAKE2020 safe for all participants.
Participants had to present a valid VTR (vaccinated-tested-recovered) on arrival and take a COVID-19 rapid antigen test. Exercise organisers also appointed a COVID-19 safety officer, who followed all of the activities and provided guidance on social distancing, face masks, and other prevention measures.
“A well planned, prepared and conducted full-scale exercise is the closest we can bring the participants to a real disaster response. But it requires a realistic scenario, involvement of the relevant stakeholders, challenging tasks and worksites, all coordinated by a professional exercise control.”
VIP Programme
The physical VIP Observers Programme took place on 7 October 2021. European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, and Minister of Defence of the Republic of Slovenia, Matej Tonin, joined the programme. The VIP observers learned about the exercise activities through presentations (e.g. on search and rescue activities and temporary mass shelter for displaced people) and field trips, including to the base of operations, where they met with the EUCPT, Host Nation Support cell, and Exercise Control.
“SIQUAKE met these requirements very well, and now the important phase of implementing the lessons learned providing value beyond the exercise is key.”
About the author
The Knowledge Network – Staff member
The Knowledge Network editorial team is here to share the news and stories of the Knowledge Network community. We'd love to hear your news, events and personal stories about your life in civil protection and disaster risk management. If you've got a story to share, please contact us.