Disaster control exercise in Potsdam: Ready for an emergency on July 5th!

Disaster control exercise in Potsdam: Ready for an emergency on July 5th!

A spectacular exercise scenario awaits the citizens of Potsdam on July 5, 2025. A large-scale disaster control exercise will then take place at the Karl Liebknecht Stadium, which aims to simulate a partial collapse of the stadium roof. This event is not only led by the city's fire department, but also attracts emergency services from surrounding regions.

Around 170 emergency services, including firefighters from Potsdam and rescue workers from Potsdam-Mittelmark, Havelland, Teltow-Fläming and Ostprignitz-Ruppin, will be there. A rescue helicopter will also be involved in the exercise, which begins at 7 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m. The Potsdam fire department has organized everything to test under real conditions how the arrival, care and transport of injured people can be carried out efficiently. The head of operations, Ralf Krawinkel, emphasizes the importance of this measure in order to check the internal processes of both the fire department and the external partners [Potsdam] reports that...

Highly realistic simulation

A total of 150 volunteers will be integrated into the exercise as injured people. These people are made up accordingly and paraded in such a way that the emergency services have to respond to a variety of injuries. The exercise is designed to recreate realistic conditions to give forces the best possible preparation for a real emergency. In accordance with the requirements of the DIN 13050:2021-10 standard, a mass casualty incident (MANV) is simulated here, in which the regular emergency service resources are overloaded.

The scenario envisages that after a simulated partial collapse of the stadium roof, around 150 people are affected, 71 of whom are injured. The emergency services have to act quickly: free people, provide initial medical care and triage and prioritize patients - a challenge that requires close cooperation between rescue workers and hospitals [rbb24] reports that...

Logistical challenges

Traffic disruptions are also expected on the practice day. Karl-Liebknecht-Straße will be completely closed in the area of ​​the stadium and bus route 616 will have to be rerouted. The city appeals to the population not to stay in the training area so as not to hinder the emergency services. The MoWas information office will inform residents about the exercise in advance. This is important so that citizens are well informed about possible restrictions.

The cost of the entire exercise is around 20,000 euros. The last comparable exercise took place in 2012 and illustrates how important regular training and practical simulations are for the safety of the population. The deployment of the fire brigade and medical units at a MANV is not only central to effective patient rescue, but also to optimal crisis management: from patient rescue to the equipment of mobile treatment stations and compliance with the golden rules of the MANV [FORUM Verlag - ManV] explains the organizational requirements...

So it will be interesting to see how the Potsdam forces act on this day. Preparations are in full swing and it remains to be seen how effective the cooperation between the various emergency services will be in order to be able to react as quickly as possible in an emergency.