Floods in Cantabria for the largest national emergencies exercise

The Spanish Army participated in the combined emergency "Cantabria" exercise, the largest of its kind that is held in Spain, which took place in Torrelavega (Cantabria) from 3 to 7 April, and was led by the Military Emergencies Unit.

Around 3,000 people were involved from independent, local and national security and emergency services and the Armed Forces, to companies and organisations who worked under the assumption that large floods had affected the Suances-Torrelavega axis and meant that emergency levels 2 and 3 were activated. Armies from the United States and France were also involved in the exercise, as well as onlookers from 18 countries.

Within the Ground participation, we must mention the contribution made by the 3rd Logistics Group coming from the 61st Logistics Support Group, who set up the kitchen and dining area, which held 200 people, as well as the shower facilities and accommodation. They also supplied a heavy crane, as well as VEMPAR trucks that had the capacity to retrieve two vehicles or transport two 20-foot contrainers for supplies.

For their part, members of the 1st and 3rd health groups set up a health unit that had the capacity to classfiy patients in the disaster zone. They also performed first aid on disaster victims and provided water, food and pest control. They used life saving teachniques to stabilise injuries and took the opportuntiy to practise damage control surgery and stabilised patients before they were transported to the most appropriate health centre. 
Rescuing people with disabilities
During the exercise, they rescued people with physical and mental disabilities, which was coordinated by the Spanish Association for Soldiers and Civil Guards with disabilities, on behalf of the Spanish Committee for People with Disabilities.

The operation consisted in finding, stabilising and rescuing a group of people with disabilities that had been trapped in a building as a result of the flood. Something that was added for this year was the introduction of disabled people at different stages of the exercise.