Saxony-Anhalt rehearses for an emergency
As part of a disaster control exercise, the State Office of Administration, together with the city of Magdeburg and the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld, is rehearsing how to deal with a flood scenario on Thursday. From 8.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m., around 180 participants will be practicing the emergency in two shifts, according to the state administration office. In the fictitious scenario, weeks of rain have caused high water levels on the Mulde and Elbe rivers: the State Office for Flood Protection and Water Management declares an alert level four, while the state capital and the district declare a state of emergency.
According to the information provided, the focus of the exercise is on cooperation between the disaster control teams and with the fire department, technical relief organization, federal armed forces, police and aid organizations. The coordination of various measures will be rehearsed - for example the evacuation and accommodation of people, the provision of basic supplies and the containment and repair of damage. The exercise participants had to overcome additional challenges, such as impassable roads, dyke breaches or a power failure that paralyzed communication systems.
"Floods in the past have shown how quickly a critical weather situation can turn into a disaster and what unforeseen problems can arise," explained the President of the State Administration Office, Thomas Pleye. "In order to be well prepared for such emergencies, we regularly practise various scenarios."
In light of the flood scenario, the role of civil protection in coordinating efforts with the fire department and other organizations becomes crucial. If a real storm hits Saxony-Anhalt and causes flooding, effective communication and cooperation between relevant organizations will be vital in managing the situation.
Source: www.dpa.com
