The 20th NATO Emergency Management Exercise "BULGARIA 2025" took place from 7 to 12 September 2025 in Bulgaria and marked an important milestone for I.S.A.R. Germany and the International co-operation in the Civil protection. For the first time, as part of the GEXTRECS-project consortium on this important NATOexercise and contribute our expertise to the further development of cross-border Crisis response contribute.
Complex scenarios, realistic challenges
With around 1,000 participants from the civilian and military sectors, the exercise was centred in Montana on the development of interoperability in the management of complex crisis situations. The spectrum included:
- Natural disasters and extreme weather events
- Chemical and radiological incidents
- Disinformation threats
- Civil-military cooperation at operational and strategic level
- Multilateral crisis coordination
These realistic scenarios reflected the complex challenges facing international rescue teams today.
Innovation through research and practice
A particular focus of this year's exercise was the integration of research and development projects. As a member of the GEXTRECS consortium, I.S.A.R. Germany was able to actively contribute to the further development of the Communication technology and interdisciplinary co-operation contribute. Our teams from the following areas Search and Rescue (SAR), Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) and coordination intensively supported the integration of the project work into the practical exercise scenarios.
Sustainable partnerships and future prospects
The five-day exercise not only provided valuable Training opportunitiesbut also the opportunity to deepen existing partnerships and make new international contacts. The exchange with researchers, volunteers, evaluators and observers from different countries expanded our network and opened up new perspectives for the International disaster relief.
We are already working on follow-up projects and are planning to take part in further international events. The findings from BULGARIA 2025 are being channelled directly into our operational work and training concepts.
Conclusion: Strengthening international cooperation
Participation in the NATO Emergency Management Exercise BULGARIA 2025 underlines I.S.A.R. Germany's commitment to improving international disaster response capacities. Through the combination of practical exercises and scientific research, we were able to make valuable contributions to the development of future-oriented solutions in crisis management.
The experience gained strengthens our operational readiness and improves our ability to cooperate effectively in international crisis situations. I.S.A.R. Germany thus remains a reliable partner in the global network for disaster prevention and Humanitarian aid.