On 13 May 2023, we conducted the third PROACTIVE field exercise in Ranst, Belgium, organised by Campus Vesta, in conjunction with the eNOTICE project.
The scenario chosen for the exercise was an incident whereby around 50 guests attending a university reception started to fall ill. Unbeknownst to them, disgruntled students had contaminated the cakes with a biological agent. At the same time, those same students entered the reception and threw an unknown powder over the guests, creating a complex situation for the first responders when they arrived at the scene.
One unique aspect of our exercise was the participation of members of the public as role play volunteers. Among these volunteers, we had individuals representing vulnerable groups, such as older persons, people with vision or hearing impairments, or reduced mobility. Additionally, a service dog was present among the group of victims.
Here are some photos that capture the events of the day:
The day began with the registration of the volunteers by PROACTIVE staff
The registration desk
After the registration and a dedicated briefing, volunteers were led to the reception area where the exercise play would begin
Volunteers heading to the reception area
Volunteers heading to the reception area (continued)
Volunteers heading to the reception area (continued)
Volunteers heading to the reception area (continued)
Volunteers heading to the reception area (continued)
At the same time, PROACTIVE Observers get ready for the action
And the PROACTIVE Crisis Communication team prepares for the exercise
The exercise starts and the first responders arrive on the scene
The volunteers evacuate the reception area
Police help evacuate the volunteers leading them to the warm zone.
In the warm zone, the medical responders communicate with the volunteers
The medical responders perform triage
The medical responders perform triage (continued)
The medical responders perform triage (continued)
Firefighters with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) approach volunteer victims in the warm zone
The specialised first responders put on their hazmat suits
Putting on the suits (continued)
Specialised responders walk towards the incident scene
Specialised first responders confer with the fire fighters in PPE about the incident
Arriving at the hot zone, specialised responders indicate to ambulant volunteers to evacuate
They also indicate to another volunteer to evacuate
They then communicate with the non-ambulant volunteers
That same volunteer is taken to decontamination
Then specialised first responders evacuate non-ambulant, unresponsive volunteers
The same non-ambulant volunteer is checked on by the Specialised Responders and the Firefighters wearing PPE in the warm zone
and then taken to decontamination
After decontaminating the victims, responders also go through decontamination
Meanwhile, volunteers are escorted to a medical check
Volunteers are being escorted to a medical check
Volunteers wait in line for the medical check
Volunteers undergo a medical check with the Red Cross
Volunteers undergo a medical check with the Red Cross (continued)
Volunteers undergo a medical check with the Red Cross (continued)
Volunteers undergo a medical check with the Red Cross (continued)
Medical check continues
Medical check continues
Medical check continues
After the medical check, volunteers are escorted to a bus which is the end of the exercise play
PROACTIVE Observers watch the exercise unfolding
After the exercise, PROACTIVE Observers fill in the Observer Guide
Close-up of the Observer Guide
Group photo of the PROACTIVE Observers
We would like to thank all exercise participants, and especially all volunteers, for a successful day!