Disaster control exercise in Berlin: Alarming weaknesses uncovered!

Disaster control exercise in Berlin: Alarming weaknesses uncovered!

In Berlin-Lichtenberg, an unannounced disaster control exercise ended in a spectacular fiasco! After hours of delays in responding to a simulated chemical accident with dozens of deaths, the practical test was abruptly stopped. The authorities have uncovered serious weaknesses in the deployment of aid organizations that urgently need to be addressed.

The trainer, Philipp Cachée, confirmed that there were serious problems with the mobilization of voluntary services. While the emergency services waited for the supposed catastrophe, many alerted rescuers failed to materialize. The exercise was overshadowed by a scandal as disputes arose over the availability of the forces that were simultaneously needed for other operations, such as a football match in the second Bundesliga.

Mass incident of deaths: A scenario that shocks!

In the dramatic exercise scenario, helpers were confronted with the shocking situation of a “mass attack of deceased people”. In the event of a chemical accident, 70 people would be treated, more than half of whom would die. The use of technology for decontamination and preservation of corpses was also planned. The involvement of the police, public prosecutor's office, forensic medicine and the Bundeswehr was planned, but the reality was different.

The exercise was intended as a unique opportunity as such a scenario had not been practiced in Germany for decades. Cachée emphasized that the exercise was intended to improve operational readiness and cooperation between the various civil protection authorities. But the inadequate response and the long waiting times while the volunteer performers lay on the ground as victims cast a poor light on the preparation and implementation of such exercises.