Disaster protection exercise in Berlin: scandal at chemical accident scenario!

Disaster protection exercise in Berlin: scandal at chemical accident scenario!

A dramatic scenario has unfolded in Berlin-Lichtenberg: In the event of an unannounced disaster protection exercise, the relief of the aid organizations was put to the test! A simulated chemical accident with almost 70 victims presented the rescuers with enormous challenges, but the exercise abruptly ended after several hours of delay. Official representatives reported massive difficulties to mobilize the volunteers in good time. Exercise manager Philipp Cachée admitted: "Problems have become clear, but also gained knowledge."

a scenario of mass applications

The exercise that took place on Saturday was a novelty in German disaster protection history. The authorities tested the reaction to a so -called "mass attack on deceased". It was planned to try out various aspects such as decontamination and the storage of corpses. But the alarms of the rescuers were chaotic. While volunteers were made up as victims and prepared for their roles, the alarmed forces remained away - they were already bound in other missions, including a football game in the 2nd Bundesliga.

The actors who acted as victims had to change positions several times due to the long waiting time. "Such a scenario has never been exercised in the past decades all over the Federal Republic," said Cachée. The Berlin disaster protection law calls for annual exercises to test the operational readiness. But the reality looked different: the processes did not exist.

a scandal in preparation

The exercise got on the edge of a scandal! Security authorities who were on site as observers expressed concerns about the lack of availability of the forces. They emphasized that the reaction would have looked very different in the event of a real catastrophe with the professional fire brigade or the Bundeswehr. The decision to do without professional forces to test the volunteer organizations could turn out to be fatal.

In view of the current security situation, which is characterized by the Ukraine conflict and natural disasters such as the flood of the Ahr, a more realistic practice is required. The cooperation between the police, emergency services and the Bundeswehr must be improved in order to be better prepared in an emergency. The exercise in Lichtenberg has urged that there is an urgent need for action here!