
Disaster simulation exercise – Four countries team up in ‘earthquake’ relief
No fewer than 22 highly trained rescue dogs – border collies, and German and Belgian shepherds – and their teams from Malta, Slovakia, Norway and Sweden were in Malta late last month for a disaster simulation exercise to enhance their skills in search and rescue operations over two intense days.
The EU Host Nation Support Exercise was organised by K-9 Urban Search and Rescue – Malta (K-9 USAR Malta), in collaboration with Civil Protection Department (CPD) and the Minister for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality, between 30 March and 1 April.
The government of Slovakia deployed one of its aircraft to send their five dogs and handlers to Malta soon after they saw service in Turkey where they rescued 11 persons from beneath the rubble of the massive earthquakes there. Norway sent a team of four dogs and six rescue personnel, and Sweden sent a team of three dogs and their handlers.
They joined eight dogs of the K-9 USAR Malta and a further two dogs of the CPD K9 Unit, one of whom also saw service recently in Turkey.







An initial exercise was held in the environs of Fort Delimara, kindly lent by Heritage Malta, with the main venue of the exercise being a quarry at Ta’ Kandja that perfectly simulated the type of terrain faced in the aftermath of a natural disaster. Only it was more difficult because parts of the quarry were flooded.
Scout volunteers from the San Gwann Group hid in this terrain, with no fewer than five rescue teams being faced with different levels of difficulty to locate and rescue the ’quake ‘victims’.
The visiting teams were impressed with how realistic the terrain was – similar to what they faced in Turkey – and provided a high level of training for them and their dogs since no similar location existed in their home countries.
The main rescue exercise started with the teams, based at Għajn Tuffieħa, being notified at 8 p.m. of the ‘earthquake’. As soon as they arrived at Ta’ Kandja, there was a registration desk and a holding area. The exercise continued into the night and finished at around 4 a.m.
There was another alarm at 10 a.m. on 1 April to go to find more missing ‘victims’ and this exercise went on until 5 p.m. The teams faced intense heat, which the foreign teams especially were unaccustomed to. So, a combination of wet T-shirts on the dogs and rehydration liquid provided by Royal Canin ensured that the dogs were kept in optimum condition.
Vet Robert Schembri was on site throughout and Dr Patrick Farrugia, head of the Emergency Department at Mater Dei Hospital, was also on hand and ready to step in for any eventuality.
A spokesman for K-9 Urban Search and Rescue – Malta said: “Training exercises with international countries, dogs and protocols are essential to facilitate the process in case of a real natural disaster. This exercise not only strengthens the partnership and collaboration between different countries, but also enhances the skills and expertise of the search and rescue teams individually and collectively.”
The CPD offered their full support and collaboration to the exercise.
Royal Canin and Borg Cardona Pet Supplies have supported K-9 USAR – Malta since 2013 when they sponsored the acquisition of two dogs from the North of England. The dogs travel each year to Norway for training and are certified in rescue operations to a high level. Since then, Royal Canin have continued to support the NGO with dog food and health products.
Thanks was extended to all the sponsors and supporters who helped to ensure the exercise was a resounding success.
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- April 5, 2023 No comments Posted in: Volunteers Tags: K=9 Urban search and Rescue, royal Canin