Rescue services rehearse tsunami response coordination

The Civil Protection Department yesterday held an unplanned "tabletop" exercise for an earthquake followed by a tsunami.

The operation was held simultaneously by Italy and Tunisia as the tremor also "hit" other central Mediterranean countries, creating a large wave hitting the western side of the islands.

Malta asked for assistance from Poland, Greece, Luxembourg, Cyprus and other EU countries which were ready to dispatch helicopters, rescuers and search dogs to Malta within a few hours of receiving the news.

On the Maltese side, the operation was coordinated from the CPD headquarters in Ta' Kandja with the help of the police, the Armed Forces of Malta, the Director of Health and even NGOs such as the Red Cross, St John Ambulance Brigade, St John Rescue Corps, scouts and girl guides.

CPD director Peter Cordina, who would be in command if such situations arise, told a press conference yesterday that representatives of local rescue organisations had only been solicited that very morning after Mr Cordina himself received a phone call from Brussels about the exercise.

"We had an excellent response locally and even when we asked for help from neighbouring countries," he said.

Locally, many organisations and departments were alerted as they would be in the event of a real catastrophe which could create casualties and leave a number of people unable to stay in their homes.

It is calculated that the response would involve some 3,000 people from the different entities.

Mr Cordina said the contingency plan includes details on virtually everything needed if an earthquake and a tsunami were to occur, including space for casualties, buildings where homeless people may be given shelter and bedding, and which entities would be responsible to repair broken water and sewage pipes or restore the electricity supply in case of a catastrophe.

The exercise was deemed very important to identify all rescue assets available nationally and to fine-tune certain weak points.

In case the CPD headquarters collapse, the response team would be able to operate from a mobile control unit.