Press Release (97)96 27 August 1997

PfP Seminar on Aeromedical Evacuation and Rescue Operations in Emergencies Kyiv, Ukraine, 1st-3rd September 1997 Within the framework of the Partnership for Peace (PfP) a Seminar on "Aeromedical Evacuation and Rescue Operations in Emergencies" will be held from 1st-3rd September 1997 in Kyiv, Ukraine. The host for the Seminar is the Ukrainian Ministry of Emergency Cases. It is open to participants from NATO and Partner Countries. The Seminar is sponsored by the NATO Civil Aviation Planning Committee and the NATO Joint Medical Committee, and co-sponsored by the Ukrainian Ministry of Emergency Cases. It is intended for emergency planners of NATO and Partner Countries in the Ministries of Transport, Health Ministries, Ministries of Defence, Military Commands and Civil Protection Organizations involved in emergency evacuation and rescue operations. The Seminar will be attended by approximately 90 participants from ten NATO countries (Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, United Kingdom and USA) and from eight Partner Countries (Austria, Belarus, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, Ukraine). One participant in NATO's Mediterranean Dialogue will also attend (Jordan). They will exchange practical and conceptual experiences in the aeromedical organization and operational use of fixed- and rotary wing aircraft. The aim is that this exchange will facilitate a review and dialogue on organization and operations, technical and medical aspects of Aeromedical Evacuation and Rescue Operations. Particular focus will be on short range evacuation and rescue operations in disaster relief and other PfP related operations. Against this background, the main topics that will be considered include national and international experiences in organizations and operations; training and resource management; coordination and interface air/ground/hospitals; types, configuration and conversion of aircraft; technical assistance and navigation aspects; crash prevention and survivability; emergency medicine in disaster relief, including in-flight treatment and equipment; medical efficiency/cost benefit of air rescue; and medical aspects/air rescue over water. In addition to these topics, Ukraine will provide a special session for demonstration of equipment and practical operations. Vice-Prime Minister Dourdinets will open the Seminar and Minister V. Kalchenko of the Ukrainian Ministry of Emergency Cases will give the keynote address. The Director of the NATO Civil Emergency Planning Directorate, Dr. Francesco P. Palmeri, will give the NATO opening and introduction speech. The Seminar will be co-chaired by Col. Dr. Eric Roedig, Office of the German Air Force Surgeon General and Mr. O.V. Hayduk, Deputy Minister of the Ukrainian Ministry of Emergency Cases. Co-operation Partner nations and NATO nations will provide presentations, in addition to the NATO Headquarters, SHAPE and the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs. Further information can be obtained from Messrs. Evert G.J. Somer / Martin Klingsheim, Civil Emergency Planning Directorate, NATO, Brussels, tel: (+32-2) 707 4069/4806 and fax: (+32-2) 707 7900 or Mr. N. Kovalsky / Maj. V. Iljushchenko, Ukrainian Ministry of Emergency Cases, tel: (+380-44) 247 3082 and fax: (+380-44) 247 3031.