Operations management for the Ennepe-Ruhr group's three-day maneuvers takes place in Münster.

In the Ennepe-Ruhr district, a well-prepared incident exercise was recently held to simulate and manage a potential crisis situation. The exercise, which involved leaders from fire departments, civil protection, district administration, aid organizations, and the military, was a testament to the district's readiness to respond to emergencies.

The technical incident command took over incident management at 8 am, with 27 people in charge. Sector 1 ensured the deployment of over 1,500 personnel and sufficient vehicles, while Sector 6 provided necessary technology via the telecommunications operations center.

Unfortunately, the exercise mirrored some real-world challenges. Traffic accidents in affected areas led to injuries, and power outages occurred in Witten, Hattingen, Wetter, and Sprockhövel due to issues with transformer stations. Automatic fire alarm systems were triggered at the district control center, and the emergency number failed in some parts. People were also trapped in elevators in the affected areas.

To keep the public informed, Sector 5 coordinated media inquiries and prepared a press conference. Notifications for emergency points of contact were drafted in coordination with the EN district crisis staff. Radio sketches were prepared by Sector 6 to keep the public updated.

Backup power supply in hospitals could not be guaranteed everywhere, highlighting the need for improved infrastructure in such scenarios. The technical advisors of the Technical Relief Agency, the Armed Forces, and the emergency pastoral care support provided expertise and their own deployment forces to address these challenges.

Regular situation meetings were held to update all participants and plan further measures. The exercise was a valuable learning experience, providing insights into areas that need improvement and reinforcing the district's readiness to respond to emergencies.

Following the exercise, Kreisdirektor Sebastian Arlt travelled to the farewell of the exercise participants and thanked the entire technical deployment leadership for their commitment. The exercise served as a reminder of the importance of preparedness and collaboration in managing crisis situations.