Joint Simulation Rescue Exercise "REMBAS 2009" in Despotovac
Saturday, 23 May 2009 13:00
On Saturday, May 23, 2009, a simulation exercise will take place at Vodna coal mine, in Despotovac, operated by the Rembas Company. The rescue operation entitled “REMBAS 2009” is organized to illustrate to the public the coordinated response effort of first responders to a mock ethane explosion within the coal mine. The exercise is organized by the Municipality of Despotovac in cooperation with USAID’s Preparedness and Planning program, and with institutional support from the Ministries of Internal Affairs, Health, Mining and Energy and the Serbian Medical Society.
The joint simulation exercise will demonstrate the coordinated response of rescue and emergency health teams during a crisis and is intended to raise awareness about the need to prepare for such emergencies to ensure the safety of citizens. The exercise marks the 25 anniversary of the tragic accident in the Vodna coal mine during which 34 miners lost their lives, and the 20 anniversary of the Despotovac’s Medical Center.
The event will gather over 200 participants including: representatives from the Municipality of Despotovac’s disaster management team, Rembas’ rescue squad, emergency health service members, firefighting and rescue units, gendarmerie units, and the Red Cross. Representatives from the emergency medical service from Nis and emergency health units from 20 cities across Serbia will also participate.
USAID will donate 27 protective suits to the Emergency Medical Unit and the Red Cross in Despotovac, 30 protective suits to the Rembas’ rescue team and T-shirts to all participants involved in the exercise.
USAID’s Preparedness and Planning program builds a sustainable and systematic approach to local-level disaster management and assists municipalities to meet domestic legal obligations and international standards in disaster management and response. Currently, 60 Serbian municipalities are included in the program.
Journalists interested in attending the event are kindly invited to gather at the plateau in front of Vodna mine, Jalovac pit (Rembas mine), in Despotovac, on Saturday, May 23 at 11:30 am.