FORMATEX23 was a multi-national, multi-level, and multi-agency project that conducted a large-scale exercise involving national and regional emergency response organisations. The main goal was to improve and strengthen cooperation among European members in responding to major accidents triggered by natural hazards. The project ran from February 2022 until December 2023.

Goals

The exercise involved Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) Modules active in the field of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) hazards, as well as technical experts who addressed operational gaps in local and national response organisations. Participants trained in a multi-hazard environment alongside local civil protection and emergency response experts.

FORMATEX23 focused not only on immediate response activities, but also on strengthening the interface between the response and recovery phases by improving documentation and handover procedures. The exercise aimed to enhance the capabilities of agencies, emergency services, and the UCPM in preparedness for and response to Natech disasters, particularly those involving CBRN Chemical Biological Radiology and nuclear (Chemical Biological Radiology and nuclear) hazards and environmental pollution.

The exercise was required for the re-certification of the Dutch Environmental Assessment Unit (EAU), operated by RIVM, as part of the European Civil Protection Pool (ECPP) in accordance with UCPM legislation.

Organisations involved

Participants included fire rescue services, consultancy agencies, and CBRN representatives from ministries in several countries. RIVM took part through the Environmental Assessment Unit (EAU).

RIVM role

RIVM deployed the Dutch Environmental Assessment Unit (EAU) during the exercise. The EAU supported local authorities and response organisations during and after environmental disasters, providing screening services, quick measurements, sampling, and risk or impact assessments. The team offered rapid and comprehensive assessments of environmental and public health effects after disasters, supported by a scientific back office and a national emergency response network. The EAU team, designed to be small and flexible, could be deployed quickly anywhere in the world with modular and easily transportable equipment.

RIVM colleagues Niels Masselink and Karin Mahieu were involved.

Results

All results and conclusions of FORMATEX23 are available in the Layman’s Report on the FORMATEX23 website

The exercise was highly educational for the EAU team, and feedback from other partners was positive. Through its participation, the EAU demonstrated compliance with EU European Union (European Union) requirements for Other Response Capacity, resulting in a five-year extension of its EU certification.

Funding

This project received funding by the European Commission Directorate-General Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection (ECHO) and the European Union's research and innovation programme Horizon Europe under Grant Agreement No 101048497.