1. Bezeichnung des Anlasses mit Datum bzw Geschäft / Vorhaben
Stand TT.MM.JJ
Swiss UNECE exercise
UNECE Fourth Consultations of Point of Contacts
Zagreb, 25 and 26 March 2010
Dr. Dominique Rauber, National Emergency Operations Centre
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2. Bezeichnung des Anlasses mit Datum bzw Geschäft / Vorhaben
Outline
Bezeichnung des Anlasses mit Datum bzw Geschäft / Vorhaben
Stand TT.MM.JJ
Introduction
Scenario
Main results
Lessons identified and challenges
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3. Switzerland
FRANCE
GERMANY
AUSTRIA
ITALY
26 cantons, each responsible for emergency management in case of an chemical accident
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4. Structure of the organisation
Bezeichnung des Anlasses mit Datum bzw Geschäft / Vorhaben
Stand TT.MM.JJ
Special federal team
Support
UNECE Competent authority
Special cantonal team
Notification
Local Emergency Management Agency
UNECE National Point of Contact
Consultation
blablabla
mip – mip – mip
blaaa
Miiiip
UNECE National Point of Contact GER and FRA
On-site Command Post
Local competent Authority
Scene of Accident
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5. Scenario
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6. Scenario Start of the hypothetical event:
Collision between a delivery van and a fork lift truck on the premises of the Swiss harbour of “AU”
Batch spread on the street, glass flask broken
Persons involved in the incident lying on the street near the vehicles and some with odd symptoms
Persons observing the scene call in the fire brigades
Due to odd symptoms of the incident’s involved persons rescue actions are stopped and special forces are called in
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7. Scenario Background of the scenario:
Terrorist were planning an attack with Sarin in a Swiss city.
Sarin was transported on a Ship from Rotterdam to Basel
The incident happens when the car of the terrorists is leaving the harbour with the chemical agents to be transport it to the targeted city
The wind is blowing in direction of Germany
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8. Scenario According to the scenario
Switzerland
Germany
Accident place
According to the scenario
first responders have to face an unclear and unknown situation
The chemical substance is highly toxic
German territory can be affected very quickly
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9. Main events during the exercise
Time (local)
Event
18:00
Start of exercise
18:35
First message with little information (telephone call)
18:37
NEOC staff summoned up
18:45
First assessment by NEOC
18:54
First written message from LEMA
19:02
Additional information
19:10
Notification to Germany and France
20:52
Second IAN-Message
21:37
Third IAN-Message
21:45
Telephone call to French Point of Contact
21:57
End of exercise
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10. Main Results
Very quick notification of the National Emergency Operations Centre by the canton
Very limited information not only at the beginning of the event
Follow-up information only given by the local authorities at additional request
Difficult decision when to notify neighbouring countries (soft criteria in this case)
Immediate acknowledgment (through the IAN-System) of the German Point of Contact
Message not read by the French Point of Contact
No interaction between Point of Contacts
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11. Lessons indentified
Do not rely on the IAN-system only – get in touch with your partners in your neighbouring countries if necessary
Regular communication tests with neighbouring countries necessary
Every local exercise should be used to train the IAN procedures with or without participation of neighbouring countries
Regular training of staff in translating “raw information” into IAN messages
Take advantage of every opportunity to rise awareness on the local level regarding national and international needs
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12. Challenges
Rise awareness – local authorities have to face their own problems
26 cantons with different solutions
Get the right information at the right time
Knowledge of the organisation on the local level of each canton
Translate the received information into English - special vocabulary
Criteria when to notify neighbouring countries if threat not clear
Deal with an emergency situation with international media coverage
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13. Lessons indentified regarding exercise preparation
Use local full scale exercises but make sure that:
the international information exchange is clearly stated as an objective of the exercise
scenario meets the objectives
the master event list contains the necessary injects
the time frame of the exercise allows for an international notification and information exchange
Realistic situation which reflects the real challenges is difficult to simulate (media pressure, request from abroad?)
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14. Straight forward part of information exchange
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15. Challenging part of information exchange
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16. Consequences and further steps
Preparedness activities
Agree with neighbouring countries to regularly test the communication channels of Points of Contact (IAN-System, phone and fax)
Rise awareness on the local level for national needs
Knowledge of structures, means and procedures
Intensifying the training with the NOEC staff
For exercises
Seek participation of NEOC in local exercises if scenario allows for international information exchange
Close collaboration in the preparation, conduct and evaluation of such exercises
Address international aspects (together with impact of the media on emergency management) during preparation of exercises
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17. Further challenges How to avoid duplication and inconsistencies?
Neighbouring countries under UNECE
IAN
Local level
National level
World Health Organisatoin
IHR*
???
Others?
How to avoid duplication and inconsistencies?
*International Health Regulation
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