Professional Dialogue Exercise PDEX-JIP (LAYMAN REPORT 3)

MARCH 2023 – LAYMAN REPORT 3

Project Fact Sheet

Project number: P101048587
Project name: Professional Dialogue Exercises – Jordan Israel Palestine
Project acronym: PDEX-JIP
Call: UCPM-2021-EX
Topic: UCPM-2021-INT
Type of action: UCPM Project Grants
Granting authority: European Commission-EU
Project Duration: 01/01/2022- 30/06/2023

Project Lead

European University Cyprus (EUC)

Project Partners

  1. D.M.A.T. Consulting KG (DMAT)
  2. Prepared International (PPI)
  3. Resilience Solutions International (RSI)
  4. Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V. (JUH)
  5. Ministry of Interior Cyprus (CCD)
  6. Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cyprus (MFA)

Abstract

The overall aim of PDEX-JIP is to improve Civil Protection (CP) preparedness and response inside and outside the Member States of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) by providing a testing environment and a learning opportunity for all actors involved in CP interventions.
The sub-region of Jordan, Israel and Palestine is a unique training environment of outermost interest for the UPCM.

PDEX-JIP Project will:

  • produce an assessment of the CP situation,
  • draft joint Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) on parties’ request,
  • hold joint planning conferences,
  • implement a Table-Top Exercise (TTX) training Host Nation Support (HNS) in a specific environment,
  • perform a Joint Full-Scale Exercise (FSX),
  • provide an Evaluation that includes a Lessons Learned (LL) process and recommendations for the Way ahead,
  • provide the sub-region with HNS-guidelines considering the specific response environment.

The project is designed to achieve overall strengthening of disaster preparedness in the JIP region while increasing interoperability and HNS measures for international and regional disaster response.

Goals/Objectives

  • Analyse the CP situation in the JIP region,
  • Conduct joint planning with JIP partners
  • Develop a joint SOP for international disaster response,
  • Prepare and conduct one HNS TTX
  • Prepare and conduct one joint FSX,
  • Conduct an evaluation of the current state of affairs in the region
  • Conclude with a LL procedure and recommend a way ahead for the JIP region.

Expected Results

  • Enable the response to a large-scale disaster in the region by creating interoperability between all involved actors
  • Enable support to vulnerable groups, Common SOP
  • Prepare and conduct one joint FSX,
  • Adaptation of disaster response plans,
  • Develop specific HNS guidelines

Kick Off Meeting 01.02.2022

The kick off meeting took place on Tuesday the 1st of February 2022, in Brussels, Belgium. Mr. Evangelos Katsaros, of the coordinating team, CERIDES and as the Research Associate, and Manager of the project, physically attended the meeting and presented the planned activities to the DG-ECHO Officers. Representatives from all consortium partners attended the meeting in virtual mode.

Hybrid Meeting 29-30.05.2022

A hybrid meeting took place in Tel Aviv and Ramallah between 29 and 30 May 2022. The 3 countries in their delegations included representatives from their Civil Protection National Authorities and various other services that will be instrumental for the Full Scale Exercise. The meeting took place in a really positive atmosphere and various details were discussed about the TTX Table Top Exercise that will take place in November and in particular about the SOP Standard
Operating Procedures during the exercise.

Main Planning Conference, Cyprus 2-3.11.2022

A historical meeting for the JIP region took place in Cyprus, in November 2022 with all the consortium participating but also JIP Delegations Attending; specifically Jordanian Delegation – National Center for Security and Crisis Management (NCSCM), Jordanian Civil Defense (JCD); Israeli Delegation – National Emergency Management Authority (NEMA), Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), and Military Liaison Office; Palestinian Delegation – Palestinian Civil Defense (PCD), Civil Affairs, Metrology, MOFA, and Military Liaison Office. From the United Nations: UNOCHA Jordan (regional JIP Professional Dialogue Project Coordinator, as well as conference facilitator), UNOCHA oPt, UNOCHA Emergency Response Section from Geneva.

Achievements of the Main Planning Conference (1/3)

As the JIP has worked successfully on the technical elements of a Flood Early Warning System there could also be in the future joint work on an Earthquake Early Warning Systems (EEWS). The Palestinian Civil Defence (hereinafter, PCD) conveyed the need to enhance their capabilities, access equipment, and develop search and rescue teams to ensure response success. PCD specified that they do not have the trucks, equipment, and warehousing to respond to natural disasters. As such, preparedness at the regional level is required in order to respond to all types of natural disasters and risks, in addition to receiving humanitarian assistance from international donors. Specific request also to develop the internal capacities of the PCD both in term of equipment and training.Jordan’s Civil Defence (hereinafter, JCD) and the National Center for Security and Crisis Management (hereinafter, NCSCM) agreed that common
understanding and proper terminology must be established to unify response efforts moving forward. JCD suggested that JIP could evolve to include new technical spheres, some work on which has been done bilaterally between Jordan and Israel already, as well as combating varying risks collectively by means of joint field work, risk assessments,
and continued coordination.

Achievements of the Main Planning Conference (2/3)

JIP delegations discussed key stakeholders’ services and infrastructure to be engaged in FSX, including the Current Status Exercise Logistics and Host Nation Support, incoming teams, EXCON, EUCPT, observers and VIP programme INSARAG cooperation.

Regarding the TTX Structure of the scenario, NEMA informed that their training audience will try to include 20 different organizations and ministries in Israel depending on the finalization of the scenario, and Jordan will have at least 36; the Palestinian Delegation likewise confirmed serious inter-ministerial commitment. OCHA added that there
are seven (7) INSARAG teams an hour flight away in the case of international assistance.

The coordinator, European University of Cyprus (CERIDES) introduced the evaluation of FSX Exercise and the awareness campaign that serve the purpose of facilitating improvement, including test response procedures, and providing practice for participants.

Achievements of the Main Planning Conference (3/3)

JIP delegations commenced with the revised trilateral understanding draft to establish the operationalization framework for collective response. NEMA indicated that the trilateral understanding is a milestone, and commended PCD for their pen-holding role in drafting the trilaterally agreed guiding principles elements.

JIP delegations will review the document language ensuring full coherence of language with INSARAG guidelines to ensure full clarity.

The JIP delegations and Consortium discussed the objectives of the TTX. Its aim is to conduct a discussion-based exercise, in which the planned FSX scenario will be simulated and discussed, in addition to all relevant existing plans, documents, maps, guidelines etc. can be used and elaborated on, as well as possible problems and connected solutions identified for an efficient and simulated FSX.

Table Top Exercise parallel in Jordan, Israel and Palestine 08-09.01.2023

The aim of the TTX was to conduct a discussion-based exercise, in which the planned FSX scenario was simulated and discussed. All relevant existing plans, documents, maps, guidelines etc. were used and elaborated on, possible problems and connected solutions were identified and at the end the ground for an efficient simulated FSX was set. Consortium experts facilitated the TTX in all three areas (Amman, Ramallah, Tel Aviv) familiarizing all beneficiaries with
International Assistance Procedures.

Table Top Exercise Jordan

Jordan has not been severely affected by the earthquake and simulated efforts to fully support Israel and Palestinian Authority cope with disaster impacts. Jordan will facilitate international assistance reach areas in need. Actual testing will take place during Full Scale Exercise.

Table Top Exercise Israel

Israel simulated both earthquake management within its territory, as well as the procedures for requesting, receiving and distributing international assistance in hit areas. The process of finding solutions under pressure for optimizing cooperation with Jordan and Palestine Authority in case of a big earthquake has been tested.

Table Top Exercise Palestine

Palestine Authority simulated host of international assistance and support of local population the 1st critical hours of a devastating earthquake.

Final Planning Meeting, Tel Aviv, 6-7.02.2023

The Final Planning Meeting took place on 06th-07th of February 2023 in a hybrid way in Tel Aviv. Τhe objectives accomplished were:

  • Discussion of the outcomes and lessons from the TTX in their relevance for the FSX, inter alia the evaluation of the guidelines
  • Finalization of the planning for the FSX, including the scenario and injects, including the deployment of field hospital
  • Discussion of logistical details and field visit of exercise sites
  • Discussion of Observer and VIP program for the exercise
  • Familiarization with the Evaluation Process of the FSX

Full Scale Exercise Israel, Palestine, Jordan, 12-16.03.2023

The Full Scale Exercise took place between 12th – 16th of March 2023 with a great success. It involved approximately
120 participants from 18 countries — Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, North Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Romania, Spain, Sweden, along with Israel — as well as the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, DG ECHO representatives and the United Nations OCHA.

Media Coverage

Israël lance un exercice de quatre jours pour améliorer la préparation aux tremblements de terre i24NEWS 12 mars 2023 à 11:43 dernière modification 15 mars 2023 à 14:11

استعدادا لوقوع هزة أرضية في إسرائيل: التدريب على محاكاة وصول بعثات الإغاثة من كافة دول العالم

Israel begins drill simulating receipt of international earthquake aid

Final Step

Way Forward and Final Meeting Foreseen in Cyprus, 9th-11th of May 2023

Links: LAYMAN REPORT 3 as a PDF

10 years DMAT anniversary

From a one-person company founded in 2006, the D.M.A.T. Consulting KG developed in 2010. At the beginning it was mainly training courses and a few small projects in which the expertise “International Disaster Protection and Disaster Management” was in demand. But continually,  DMAT has developed into a company that also was more and more in demand for major projects (research and innovation) for the European Union, the European Space Agency etc., especially as an “end user”. During the research and development projects it was experienced that, although great scientific projects are being developed, unfortunately the practical relevance of the “end users” was often neglected. This enabled us to contribute to the further development of emergency equipment, technologies and strategies.

DMAT was also able to increase its range of advisory services for activities relevant to crises and disasters, as well as providing training for the competent support of the affected population and the responsible decision-makers before, during and after natural disasters. This often was done in  EU-funded civil protection projects, where we were able to contribute our expertise worldwide either as a partner or as a subcontractor. The last major projects with the participation of DMAT before Covid 19, were “Host Nation Support” exercises in Austria, Albania and Ghana, as well as two large-scale exercises on 5 islands in the Netherlands Antilles, which were an extreme but exciting challenge for us because of the distance.

In 2014 our team was strengthened by Sebastian Hirschmugl and since 2019 we have also been able to strengthen our team internationally with Sara Abdelwahid from Iraq.

In all of its activities, DMAT pays great attention to fair working and ethical principles and is a member of ARGE proEthik.

Despite the restrictions caused by the corona, we hope to be able to continue building up and expanding our range of services.

EU ModEX (2017-2020)

General Information

 

The Module Exercises (MODEX) are financed by the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) and are part of an exercise’s series within the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

Modules and other Response Capacities already registered in the Common Emergency Communications and Information System (CECIS) were invited to apply for a participation in one of the Exercises. The main exercise objectives for the participants are to train self-sufficiency, interoperability, procedures and coordination as well as to use the exercise as a learning opportunity. EU MODEX also gives participating modules and other Response Capacities the opportunity for certification as European Emergency Response Capacity (EERC) and for classification or re-classification to meet international standards for deployments in disasters.

 

ModEX_Logo

Developments and training for humanitarian relief operations

 

In addition to the projects where the D.M.A.T. Consulting KG acts as a partner, it also takes on orders as a subcontractor. The activity of D.M.A.T. Consulting KG is based on experience in numerous humanitarian and civil defence assignments, training and runs its own projects, mostly developing solutions, tools, strategies and processes in the field of Disasters.

 

The Members in the international consortium of the upcoming ModEx of the EU are:

 

 

EU MODEX Austria/Eisenerz, 24.-27.05.2018

 

The first ModEx took place in October 2017 in England. This was followed by exercises in Denmark in January 2018 and in Bulgaria in March 2018.

In May 24th till 27th 2018 ModEx (Modular Exercise) was held in Austria, on Erzberg in Styria. The D.M.A.T. Consulting KG was entrusted by the Province of Styria for planning of this exercise. The ModEx Austria took place in the international training center of the Styrian Red Cross for “Urban Search and Rescue in alpine terrain”.

The D.M.A.T. Consulting KG was pleased to announce the exciting and challenging tasks of planning and implementing a 36-hours exercise for the training of two medium urban search and rescue teams from Greece and Lithuania, a Cave Rescue Team from Slovenia and a drone team from France. This work was in cooperation and carried out on behalf of the State of Styria, Department of Civil Protection and National Defence as a partner in the ModEx 2017-2018 consortium, involving Styrian rescue organizations, which was in Eisenerz.

EU Module Exercise 2018 / Lot 3 in Eisenerz, Austria

EU MODEX Group Picture Eisenerz 2018, Austria

 

you can also watch the lessons learned video of the MODEX in Eisenerz, Austria 2018 below:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNSx6W9hGPg

previous Exercises within ModEX

MODEX 2017/2018

 

s part of the cycle of EU module exercises (ModEx) for 2017/2018, 5 module exercises had been carried out and completed in Great Britain, Denmark, Bulgaria, Austria and Romaian.

  1. United Kingdom/ Merseyside, 12.10.-15.10.2017
  2. Denmark/ Tinglev, 26.01.-29.01.2018
  3. Austria/ Eisenerz, 24.05.-27.05.2018
  4. Bulgaria/ Montana, 20.03.-23.03.2018
  5. Romania/ Bucharest, 14.10.-18.10.2018

Click here to see a Video of ModEX Exercise in Tinglev/ Denmark 2018

completed EU Module Exercise (ModEX) in 2019

 

  1. Denmark/ Tinglev, 25.01.-28.01.2019
  2. UK/ Merseyside, 15.03.-18.03.2019
  3. Estonia/ Saaremaa, 11.04. – 14.04.2019
  4. Portugal/ Fogueteiro Village, 04. – 07.11.2019

Click here to see a Video of ModEX Exercise in Portugal 2019

 

EU Modex 2019-2020

 

D.M.A.T. Consulting KG will again conduct in Eisenerz a MODEX 2020, this time with 3 Medium Urban Search and Rescue Teams(MUSAR), 1 Cave rescue team, one Emergency Temporary Shelter (ETC) and 2 drone teams.

 

EU-ModEX Pre Exercise Meeting Group Picture in Lisbon, Portugal

 

About D.M.A.T Consulting KG

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

D.M.A.T. Consulting KG offers services in the field of disaster management. Our range of services includes consultancy before and during crisis and disaster events, training to provide mutual assistance to the affected population as well as to the responsible decision makers after natural disaster events.

 

OUR FOCUS OF ACTIVITIES

 

Focus of DMAT activities is on consulting, training and further development in the areas of

  • national and international disaster management
  • promoting and strengthening disaster resilience (Disaster Resilience)
  • Civil Protection – Prevention and Preparedness

Evakuation of Wheel Chair Users

OUR PARTICIPATIONS

 

The D.M.A.T. Consulting KG participates in projects development of preventive measures and deployment solutions in disaster situations.

Our company combines its own field experience with innovative technologies and knowledge from disaster management. In addition to innovative and functional equipment and solutions for emergency services, overall concepts for the population in crisis situations are also being developed and tested.

 

GEOVISION – Clarification of the situation
on the field. Observe, collect data, weigh situation and act

 

 

“We cannot stop natural Disasters, but we can arm ourselves with Knowledge, so many lives wouldn’t have to be lost if there was enough Disaster Preparedness” By Petra Nemcova

 

SOME OF OUR PROJECTS*

 

The Projects where D.M.A.T Consulting KG is involved as a Partner:

 

The Projects where D.M.A.T Consulting KG is involved as a Subcontractor:

*You can easily read more about our Projects on our main Website by clicking on the Project above

Spartacus Project