Shocking exercise in Grabenstätt: 200 helpers save 22 injured people!

Shocking exercise in Grabenstätt: 200 helpers save 22 injured people!

On April 12, 2025, a comprehensive exercise by rescue workers, referred to as the “XL operational exercise,” took place in Erlstätt, Grabenstätt, Bavaria. Over 200 helpers, including firefighters, the Maltese Relief Service and the Red Cross, were involved in this simulation, which exemplified the challenges of a mass casualty incident (MANV). Around 400 spectators watched as emergency services responded to a scenario in which a bus was in a ditch, a truck had overturned and several cars were involved. A total of 22 “injured people” were simulated, some of whom were severely trapped. This illustrates the central importance of such exercises in preparation for real major disaster situations, as defined by DIN 13050.

The forces were alerted at 2 p.m., with deputy commander Sebastian Muggenhamer taking charge of operations. Months of preparation led by fire brigade commander Michael Wimmer ensured that the exercise ran smoothly and that the best possible communication between the various rescue organizations could be tested. The fire departments involved came from Wolkersdorf, Grabenstätt, Chieming and several other surrounding communities.

Prepare for emergencies

A central component of the exercise was training the procedures in major incidents, whereby the emergency paramedic trainees in particular were able to gain important experience. In such MANV situations, such as those that can occur in traffic accidents or terrorist attacks, the regular rescue workers quickly have to reach their limits. Therefore, it is crucial to use exercises like this to optimize processes and have a clear picture of the different triage categories. Patients are classified according to the urgency of their treatment, which enables quick and effective care.

The safety measures during the exercise included securing the bus with winches and wooden planks as well as removing several windows to allow quick access for the rescue teams. These teams were trained to rescue the “injured” from various vehicles. This created a realistic picture of a typical MANV situation in which many injured people or people in need of care often have to be rescued at once. The relevance of these exercises is also underlined by the large number of possible damage situations that are covered by the definition of the MANV.

Positive feedback and evaluation

The exercise lasted around one and a half hours and ended with a debriefing that received extremely positive feedback from district fire officer Christof Grundner. The mayor of Grabenstätt, Gerhard Wirnshofer, also praised the commitment and professionalism of the rescue workers. A special thank you went to the helpers and supporters, especially the Rigra towing company. Following the exercise, there was a snack at which the Grabenstätt community thanked the helpers for their efforts.

This exercise is an important part of the preparation for real operations, as it not only trains the technical skills of the rescuers, but also optimizes communication and organization among the different organizations in the event of a major incident. Mass casualty incidents place high demands on emergency response organizations and their resources, which is why such simulations are indispensable for efficient emergency response.