Emergency services conduct various rescue drills across Europe

Emergency response teams across Switzerland, Austria, and Germany have conducted a series of large-scale training exercises to prepare for diverse crisis scenarios.

In Germany, 55 responders and 18 rescue dogs participated in a search and rescue drill at a former hotel in Sankt Englmar. The exercise, coordinated by THW and the Red Cross, simulated finding missing persons in a building at risk of collapse.

In Austria, multiple specialized drills took place. At Ossiacher See, over 220 personnel practiced water rescues and boat fires, utilizing new technologies such as drones and mobile extinguishing boats. In Altmünster, 29 responders focused on evacuating elderly and disabled residents from a nursing home during a simulated fire. Additionally, youth firefighters from Innsbruck participated in training sessions in Telfs, covering scenarios from vehicle accidents to small fires.

In Switzerland, the Appenzell fire department completed its annual main exercise. Despite local water shortages, the team demonstrated readiness by using modern technical equipment, including a new blower capable of clearing smoke from a garage in two minutes.