Exercise

The exercise consists of three segments - Table Top Exercise (TTX), Command Post Exercise (CPX) and Full Scale Exercise (FSX). The aim of the exercise is to test operational concepts, cross-border procedures and interoperability between the countries as well as joint decision-making to train the procedures of the Mechanism and deployment of the exercise teams and equipment, and particularly the use of relevant Commission’s services such as Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), all in real-time and realistic setting.

• TTX – 20 to 21 March 2018, Split, Croatia
• FSX (including CPX): 21 to 25 May 2018, Split aquatorium, Croatia

2-day TTX will be organized 2 months before the Field Exercise where the Union Civil Protection Mechanism will be activated together with the use of Commission’s services, for ex. ERCC for satellite imagery.

Expected results: Training of team management on UCP Mechanism procedures; national POCs trained in communication/coordination with ERCC and among one another; Host Nation Support Guidelines implemented; mobilization and operational phases trained.

1-day CPX will be organized prior to the Field Exercise to test activation of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism as well as the mobilization phase of intervention teams. Communication and coordination between ERCC and national POC’s will be tested as well as use of information/coordination tools such as CECIS and vOSOCC.

Expected results: Everything is prepared for the field exercise and national POC’s and authorities are activated.

FSX in Croatia will be organized in Croatian waters of the Adriatic Sea including activities aimed at minimization of the consequences of the fire caused by the collision of a tanker or a cruise boat with a ferry boat, and the mitigation activities related to the marine and coastal pollution caused by the resulting oil spill.

Expected results: Exercise will identify possible potentials for temporary shortcomings (buffer capacities) in form of firefighting capacities for extinguishing fire on vessels and for mitigating maritime pollution. The possibility will be evaluated in the context of past experiences, namely whether there is evidence of shortcomings or unmet requests for assistance, but also from the exchange of experience on the exercise. Considerations about innovation (i.e. potential evolution of required future response capacities) can also be discussed.

The Distaff/EXCON is responsible for the steering of the exercises (TTX, CPX and FSX), by monitoring of all on-going activities and by implementing the timing according to the DSEC and triggers additional injects with prepared role players. EXCON set up will be adjusted towards exercise type (TTX, CPX and FSX). The EXCON is directly connected to the eight different teams:

1. Exercise locations: team in charge to prepare and run simulation on the exercise locations, coordination of role players.
2. Safety and security: team is responsible to monitor operational activities on exercise locations and prevent occurrence of any risks towards exercise participants.
3. Media: team responsible to coordinate presence support to real media reporting about exercise
4. Observers Programme: team is responsible to coordinate participation of observers and VIP guest during exercise.
5. Simulated Press: team is responsible to implement injects toward exercise audience related to media communication training objectives
6. IT/admin support: team is responsible to provide sufficient IT support for EXCON activities as well as the administrative support.
7. Host Nation Support: team is responsible to have overview of exercise audience in implementing HNS arrangement related to border crossing procedure, police escort, BoO arrangements, radio support, etc. Also provide support to EXCON in connection to accommodation, working facilities, transport, meals, etc.
8. Trainers: observe and to support intervention teams where necessary, mainly in tactical and strategic aspects (communication with others, reporting, cooperation, coordination).