U.S. EM representatives visit German emergency operations center

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Markus M. Maier
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  Twenty-three emergency management coordinators from various U.S. installations in Rheinland Pfalz traveled to Trier Sept.1 to meet some of their German counterparts at the Rheinland Pfalz Supervision and Service Administration -- the state-level emergency operations center.

Representatives from the U.S. European Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe, Ramstein and Spangdahlem Air Base spent the day touring the administration's historical facility, receiving briefings and interacting with German first responders.

"The purpose of the visit was to enhance and solidify relationships with our host nation response personnel," said Master Sgt. Daniel MacDonald, the Ramstein EOC manager. "Between the Kaiserslautern Military Community and the Spangdahlem communities there are close to 80,000 U.S. citizens thant may be affected should a disaster strike. Developing that relationship and understanding prior to an incident will enhance response capabilities should an incident take place that requires a combined U.S.-German response."

An EOC is a facility that serves as a nerve center during both small emergencies and large disasters, such as aircraft incidents, terrorist attacks, hazardous material incidents, natural disasters or any other situation threatening life and property. Since the incident is not always contained to an installation, U.S. and host nation first responders may in some cases work together on the same incident.

"The intent of this visit was to provide our American counterparts with an impression of how we handle emergency management and how we are structured," said Heinz Wolschendorf, the Supervision and Service Administration's fire and mass casualty section chief. "There are a lot of military installations here in Rheinland Pfalz, and there is always the possibility of something bad happening, so we have to be prepared."

This was the first visit to the EOC in Trier, and hosts and visitors alike felt it should be a recurring event.

"My recommendation is for these visits to take place more often on a regular basis," Mr. Wolschendorf said. It is good for us to know our counterparts, and due to the high turn-around of American forces here in Europe, it is important to establish and maintain continuity."

But the visitors did not only learn about German emergency management, but were also given some of the history of the building, the Electoral Palace, which houses the administration. Considered by many as one of the most beautiful rococo palaces in the world, in part was built by the Romans in 306 BC. Several wings have been added over the centuries, and today the palace attracts tourists from all over the world.

"The American and the German concept of old are quite different," Dr. Josef Mertes, the administration's president said. "During a visit to Washington D.C., I was given a tour of what I was told is a very old fisherman's village. When they told me that the village was 200 years old, I told them that 200 years is not really that old. The building I work in is 2,000 years old."

The day concluded with a lunch in the administration's cantina allowing participants to interact informally and share some of their thoughts and ideas.

"This meeting provided the Ramstein Emergency Operations Center staff with great insight into how the various levels of the German government perform disaster management," said Lt. Col. Jarrett Purdue, Ramstein EOC director. "This is critical information for us that will help our wing protect lives and property in case of a major accident. And we always enjoy time spent with our German friends and counterparts."