150 rescuers from several countries came to the Republic of Moldova for a large-scale joint exercise. For the first time, volunteer fire teams are involved
Around 150 representatives of rescue teams from Latvia, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Ukraine and Poland came to the Republic of Moldova to participate in the large-scale field exercise "EURO -MED REACT". During 36 hours without interruption, the firefighters intervened in simulated disasters such as fires, chemical accidents, traffic accidents with multiple victims. The participants work with experts from the European Union Civil Protection Team and the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism is activated.
During the exercise, IGSU employees, together with all institutions responsible for crisis management in the Republic of Moldova, tested their response capabilities to liquidate the consequences of emergency situations, according to the established procedures, said Alexandru Oprea, Head of the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations of the Interior Ministry.
"This year we twice applied the principles of host nation support during the organization of such an exercise and practical field exercise. During this exercise teams from 5 EU member states and 2 countries with candidate status for accession to the European Union participate. Although the exercise itself takes place outside the borders of the European Union, I hope that the next exercise of this kind, which will be hosted by our country, will already take place within the EU borders", said Alexandru Oprea.
This large-scale exercise for the first time also involves teams of volunteer firefighters from outside the Republic of Moldova. The President of the Polish Volunteer Fire Service Association, former Polish Prime Minister Waldemar Pawlak, said that the development of the volunteer rescue system is a widespread practice in his country and this exercise is an opportunity for them.
"Poland is represented in this field exercise by three volunteer fire brigade divisions. In Poland. about 700 thousand people are trained as volunteer firefighters. I want to thank for this opportunity to participate in this large-scale exercise, as it contributes to the development of relations between rescuers at international level," stressed Waldemar Pawlak.
The training will take place from 12 to 13 July in Razeni, Ialoveni district, at the base of operations of the Republican Training Centre of IGSU. The training continues throughout today, being monitored and evaluated by international observers. The large-scale field exercise "EURO -MED REACT" 2023 aims at practical testing of international assistance through the civil protection mechanism, as well as the organisation of international arrangements for the liquidation of the consequences of natural and technogenic exceptional situations.
