Apell-EuroModex has returned to Lisbon, Portugal, for the Exercise Planning Meeting, to prepare the EU MODEX exercise related to forest fires which will take place in between 2nd to 6th of May 2023. We finalised the scenario, validated the working sites and planned the challenges for the incoming international modules. Thanks to our hosts, the Portuguese Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil for all the support and work done so far. We are looking forward to meeting them again in May to deliver the best testing environments for the international modules.
EXERCISE
Between 03 and 06 May in Abrantes municipality (Lisbon/Santarem region) , Portugal, took place the 4th EU MODEX field exercise within Cycle 11 - Lot 2. The EU MODEX PT 2023 exercise was organized under the #EUCPM training and exercises program, by the Consortium lead CN APELL-RO and National Authority for Emergencies and Civil Protection of Portugal (ANEPC). The main objective was to test and improve the UCPM specialized module’s abilities to jointly respond to forest fires, which is a significant risk for many European countries.During the exercise, the ground and aerial forest firefighting from France, Germany, Italy and Spain and the specialized Fire Assessment and Advisory Team from Spain - have been engaged in planning, assessment and forest fire suppression operations in the communities neighboring the Abrantes municipality. More than 250 personnel, 70 fires trucks, 5 aerial forest fires fighting capacities and almost 400 local staff, and a medical unit INEM (EMT) have demonstrated the EU's commitment to solidarity and to a common goal of protecting the population, property and environment.The exercise benefitted from presence of aerial forest fires fighting capacities (1 airplane from Spain, 2 airplanes and 2 Helicopters from Portugal) focusing on joint operations, interoperability and coordination between ground and air resources from different teams. EU MODEX PT 2023 helped the teams to better prepare for international deployments providing valuable and realistic testing experience. For all the effort, we express our gratitude to the host - the ANEPC from Portugal, to Regional Commands for Emergency and Civil Protection of Lisbon and Valley do Tejo and to the Special Civil Protection Force Unit of Portugal (FEPC).
THE NATIONAL AUTHORITY FOR EMERGENY AND CIVIL PROTECTION THE LISBON TAGUS VALLEY REGIONAL COMMAND FOR EMERGENCY AND CIVIL PROTECTION
EXERCISES ON CIVIL PROTECTION MODULES, TEHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT TEAMS, OTHER RESPONSE CAPACITIES AND EUROPEAN UNION CIVIL PROTECTION TEAMS