Malczyce 2025. Challenging exercises for PCK rescuers

During the gathering, full-scale, multi-hour simulations of search and rescue operations were conducted under conditions of a building disaster. The exercises were carried out both day and night - at facilities with diverse characteristics.

Rescuers trained in searching collapsed buildings, reaching victims, providing assistance, extracting people from the rubble, and evacuating them. At the same time, the functioning of the newly created Polish Red Cross module — Emergency Disaster Response Unit (EDRU) was tested, which is intended to carry out medical operations outside the country in situations of disasters and calamities.

The organization of the exercises was the responsibility of the Medical Rescue Group of the Polish Red Cross in Wrocław. Preparing and conducting the gathering required considerable effort, especially since the role players can only be trained rescuers, as they work in areas of increased risk. There were always 25-30 role players as well as 7-10 referees ensuring safety - this is a significant organizational effort.

For the command staff, the challenge is managing the work of about 20 teams operating simultaneously and coordinating such extensive activities. For the teams themselves, working in mixed teams posed a difficulty - despite the standardization of procedures, there are always some differences between them: different first aid kits or equipment configurations.

Exercises like those in Malczyce help maintain the organizational readiness of the Polish Red Cross Rescue System for actions in crisis situations of varying characteristics.

The gathering was also an opportunity to honor dozens of rescuers with Honorary Badges of the Polish Red Cross for their dedication during rescue operations related to the September 2024 flood in Silesia, Opole Voivodeship, and Lower Silesia.