Preparedness to disasters is crucial - it can save lives. As part of its efforts to strengthen the EU's ability to respond to emergencies, the European Commission co-funded and participated in a large civil protection exercise in Oslo.
The scenario of HarbourEX15 is a major accident in the industrial area of Sydhavna/Sjursøya in Oslo. The exercise stages a ship collision, and a fire at a tank farm which results in an explosion and the spill of hazardous substances requiring people to be evacuated and treated immediately.
The aim of the exercise is to test the emergency and rescue response and decision-making procedures in case a similar accident would actually happen.
The HarbourEx15 exercise was conducted by Norwegian authorities on 28 and 29 April 2015. Participants included the Norwegian emergency services, Oslo municipality, the County Governor, regional and national authorities, as well as European and international teams and experts from the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) of the European Commission.
Read more about EU simulation exercises bit.ly/1zEIG8O.
Video by European Commission