The BMTF took part in the EADRCC Exercise “Srbija 2018” held from 7 to 12 Oct 2018 in Mladenovac, the Republic of Serbia, in full capacity (80 participants). The Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) and the Republic of Serbia, the host nation, jointly organized the exercise.
The scenario for the exercise was based on urban search and rescue operations caused by earthquake, flood response and response to chemical incidents, which will affect the civil population and critical infrastructure in the area around Mladenovac.
The main purpose of the BMTF participation in the exercise is to check readiness and capabilities of the BMTF as a multinational medical unit to participate in international respond operations to the consequences of natural disasters.
The objectives of the BMTF participation in the exercise were as follows:
- Practice BMTF procedures and capabilities, and test effectiveness of the information management and patient flow;
- Conduct MEDEVAL of the BMTF C4I and PECC modules;
- Improve national medical capacities of the BMTF Participating nations through improved preparedness and planning in case of the BMTF engagement in international medical operations;
- Optimize interoperability among the BMTF structure;
- Build effective medical teams within the BMTF.
The practical BMTF participation in the exercise was accomplished through the work of R2B, which was set up in record time at the Keramika location during 8 and 9 Oct, and was fully ready for treatment of the first patients as early as at 12:00 on 9 Oct, according to the exercise plan. By the end of the exercise, ie 11 Oct, the hospital received and medically treated 40 patients with different injuries.
During the exercise, the evaluation team from MILMED COE, headed by LTC Oskar Meijboom, carried out the MEDEVAL of C4I and PECC modules IAW NATO STANAG 2560 and procedures defined in the AMedP 1.6, 1.7. and 1.8. (documentation, personnel and equipment). BMTF SO has prepared all necessary documentation and equipment foreseen for evaluation, while the personal in both modules demonstrated an enviable level of knowledge of procedures and content of the mentioned documents. The evaluation team has stated in the Final evaluation report (FER) that both modules fully meet all defined preconditions for achieving the highest level of operational capability, and both modules have been rated with a “Full Operational Capability” rate. This is a tremendous success and confirmation of BMTF SO efforts, as well as all partners involved in the BMTF project, in terms of reaching the status of complete BMTF as a multinational medical unit with full operational capability.
