Disaster relief exercise in Konz

What happens in the event of a serious incident at the Cattenom nuclear power plant near the French border? Should radioactive materials be released, or should such a scenario be imminent, the state of Rhineland-Palatinate can declare a state of emergency. In addition to possible evacuations or other direct measures, a so-called emergency station would be set up in the Trier-Saarburg district in such an event. The operation of this station will be tested as part of a disaster preparedness exercise on October 24th at the school center in Konz.

The emergency station provides a service to the local population, offering information and support from emergency personnel, doctors, and chaplains. People arriving from the affected area can also find help there: Monitoring stations are used to check for radioactive contamination. If detected, initial decontamination measures can be taken on-site. Furthermore, residents can undergo radiation-related medical assessments.

Over 100 extras involved

In an emergency, the State Office for Fire and Disaster Protection would be responsible for the emergency station. At a total of eleven stations, approximately 160 emergency personnel from the region's fire departments, disaster relief units, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), aid organizations, chaplains, and doctors would provide support.

To ensure that the emergency room procedures can be practiced realistically, approximately 100 extras will be on site on October 24th, going through the various stations that have been set up.

Signage will be installed.

In a real emergency, the route to the emergency station would need to be signposted from all directions within the district. To test this, signs directing people to the emergency station will be posted at various locations in the town of Konz on the day of the exercise. These signs are solely part of the exercise.

Emergency vehicles on the move

Starting Friday evening (October 23), numerous emergency vehicles will be on the road, particularly in the town of Konz, to prepare for and conduct the exercise. There is no danger to the public.

To ensure the exercise can be carried out carefully, those responsible request that citizens do not enter the training area on their own and refrain from traveling to the school grounds in Konz. Following the exercise, information and photos will be made available to the public via the channels of the State Office for Fire and Disaster Protection, the district administration, and regional media outlets.