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Last update: 03-Aug-2006 12:05 | NATO Update |
Eng./Fr. |
NATO-Russia disaster
response exercise
From 22 to 25 June 2004 NATO, Russia and partner countries tested their capabilities to jointly respond to a disaster situation in a field and strategic-level exercise and seminar held in the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation. The main aim of the exercise and seminar was to examine existing national, regional
and multi-national arrangements for consequence management and
response to a mass casualty and environmental disaster situation
caused by a terrorist attack. This in turn allows to
identify current shortfalls, and fine tune existing best practices
and procedures. A challenging scenario
Rescue and consequence management units from Poland, Lithuania and Russia participated in the exercise. The results of the field exercise were included in the broader strategic discussion during the strategic-level tabletop exercise and seminar held on 24 and 25 June. Closed-door sessions included discussion of disaster scenarios, primarily caused by terrorism, and requiring international participation beyond the regional framework of the field exercise. NATO, Russia and partner countries took part. Joint responses Officials from both NATO and Russia sides praised the exercise as a demonstration of how NATO and Russia could work together for common interests. Such exercises are useful "not only to build confidence among all the participants but to improve our ability to provide real practical help when needed," said Stephen Orosz, NATO's Deputy Assistant Secretary-General for Civil Emergency Planning and Exercises. Sergei K. Shoigu, Russia's emergencies minister
(EMERCOM), commented that, "Rescuers of the world are just one big family. Whenever someone from this family
needs help, others from this family come and help. It is not just
cooperation between generals. It is cooperation between all levels
of rescuers."
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