EMRIC exercise on the premises of RWTH Aachen University Hospital

On Saturday 9 November 2024, an exercise and knowledge exchange of the cross-border cooperation EMRIC of the fire departments from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany took place on the premises of the University Hospital RWTH Aachen. The focus of the exercise was the demonstration of various decontamination procedures and the measurement of radioactive radiation relating to nuclear medicine.

A mobile system for decontaminating patients who go to the emergency department for treatment on their own was demonstrated and explained by the RWTH Aachen University fire brigade. A special unit of the Dutch fire brigade demonstrated its container for decontamination. The ‘Ontsmettingscontainer’ of Brandweer Vaals was explained and demonstrated by the Vaals and Bocholz units.

Joint measurement exercises were carried out together with the CBRN unit of the Aachen fire brigade and the special unit ‘Gevaarlijke Stoffen’ from Valkenburg. This made it possible to carry out measurement exercises on radioactive radiation under realistic conditions on the nuclear medicine premises. The members of the CBRN unit explained the capabilities of the unit's NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) exploration vehicle to the participants and guests. This can measure and record a variety of hazardous substances during driving. The catering unit of the Aachen fire brigade provided food and refreshments for the participants and guests at the end of the exercise.

The knowledge-sharing exercise was very well received by the participants and guests and is a further step in cross-border cooperation within the framework of EMRIC. The strengthening of the joint network and the deeper knowledge gained about the performance and procedures of the EMRIC partners follows the motto ‘Knowing people in crises’.