From August 18 till 22, will be held a national civil protection training “RADEX 2025” throughout the territory of Latvia, during which five hazard scenarios related to the elimination of leaks of chemical, biological, radioactive substances and petroleum products, as well as the elimination of the consequences of the explosion will be played out. The training aims to test institutional readiness and mutual cooperation in emergencies, improve disaster management measures, and practically test action algorithms in large-scale threats.
The training shall be organised by the State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in co-operation with the involved State and local government institutions, operational services, national Armed Forces (NAF), non-governmental organisations and volunteers.
Scenario descriptions:
Biological hazard | August 18 | Valmiera
A vehicle carrying a dangerous biological specimen crashes near Valmiera. As a result of the accident, the environment and humans are exposed to anthrax bacteria. Victims shall be hospitalised, decontamination shall be required at the scene and active interinstitutional co-operation shall be ensured. The Emergency medical Service (NPSD), State Police (GP), Centre for Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPCC), Valmiera Municipality and other institutions are involved.
Radiological hazard | August 19 | Riga, Vidzeme and Latgale region
According to an international warning, information has been received regarding the accident of the Leningrad nuclear power plant. During the course of the training, the circulation of interinstitutional information, performance of radiation measurements in the environment in Latgale and Vidzeme region, examination of co-operation between the radiation Safety Centre of the State environmental Service (VVD RDC), SFRS, State border Guard, NMPD, VP, Health Inspectorate (VI), Daugavpils, Rezekne, Kraslava and Prize local government co-operation territories for civil protection commissions will be simulated.
Chemical crash on railway | August 20 | Jelgava
As the freight train crosses the Jelgava Railway Bridge, there is a tank car crash and chemical leak in Lielupe, which threatens the health and environment of the exposed population. People will be evacuated from Lielupe beaches, decontamination measures will take place outside Jelgava City hospital, and bona will be located in Lielupe. The local government civil protection Commission, Jelgava City hospital, SFRS, VP, NAF, SFD, Health Inspectorate (VI) and other institutions will be involved in the relief work.
For the attention of the population: from 10.00 to 15.00 in Lielupe and Driksa, water transport traffic will be closed from railway to road bridge, as well as residents will not be able to park their vehicles on Pilssala Street 1, Jelgava. A large amount of popcorn may be used to simulate the substance in the river, which, in consultation with environmental experts, was identified as the most natural possible solution to the leakage simulation.
Oil pollution off the coast | August 22 | Mangaeland Island, Riga
A tanker accident has occurred in the near the Mangaelsala pier, resulting in crude oil being washed up on a beach over 2 km long. Pollution affects humans, pets and the coastal ecosystem. Volunteers are involved in the collection of petroleum products, cooperation between SFRS, VP, Riga free Port Authority Port Police, Riga State City local government and foundation “World Wide Fund for Nature” has been examined.
Explosion scenario | time and place - restricted availability information
Supplementary, a separate training episode simulating a widespread explosion is planned. It aims to test the institutions operational algorithms and response in the event of an incident. Details are not being made public for security reasons.
For the attention of the population: operational services will travel to practice venues as a real call, so the SFRS calls on citizens to treat increased movement of operational transport and possible temporary traffic restrictions at one of the training event venues. SFRS says residents have no grounds for anxiety as training will not put people's health or lives at risk, as well as cause pollution to the environment.