In a large-scale rescue exercise, the emergency services from I.S.A.R. Germany trained for three days under realistic conditions in the event of an emergency. The initial situation was a severe earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 in the city of Zamek Wodny in the Republic Dolny Ren, a fictitious state in central Europe. According to the scenario, over 25,000 people have been reported missing and 2,500 deaths have been confirmed.
The Base of Operation has the forces on the site of House Apartment in Voerde. The historic property from the 14th century offered ideal conditions for this. Initially, the Duisburg fire brigade manned the information and situation centre to coordinate the operation. SAR experts from I.S.A.R Germany then travelled to the fictitious country to provide assistance on site.
The realistic portrayal of the injured was carried out by members of the RUND Groupwho specialise in realistic accident and emergency response. They practised under almost real conditions, from technical localisation and rescue from rubble to first aid.
An Urban Search and Rescue team from Taiwan also took part in the exercise. Together with our staff, we trained across national borders to consolidate globally applicable standards. Two mentors from the INSARAG - International Search and Rescue Advisory Groupa unit of the UN OCHAalso accompanied the exercise. They evaluated the process with regard to the upcoming INSARAG External Classification (IEC)which I.S.A.R. Germany regularly undergoes.
All units involved worked closely together. Logistics, technology and medical teams proved their worth under time pressure and confirmed our operational capability as an international civil protection organisation.