From May 12 to 17, 2026, the Topoľčany district becomes the site of the strategic international exercise Field Training Exercise (FTX) 2026. This exercise represents a key phase in the certification and preparation process for rapid-deployment units of Samaritan organizations from Slovakia, Austria, and Germany. The goal is to simulate a comprehensive response to a large-scale emergency in accordance with international standards for rescue modules.
Scenario and Operational Context
The exercise premise reflects real risks associated with climate change and geomorphological processes. The simulation includes devastating flooding and subsequent landslides, which led to structural damage to buildings (USAR — Urban Search and Rescue operations), people trapped in inaccessible terrain, and critical disruption of civilian infrastructure.
Given local insufficiency of healthcare capacity and damage to stationary facilities, the Crisis Staff of the Topoľčany District Office decided to request international assistance at a bilateral level.
Logistical Support and the “Self-Sufficiency” Methodology
Rescue teams operate from a Base of Operations (BoO) situated in the village of Veľké Ripňany. One of the primary goals of FTX 2026 is demonstrating the teams’ full autonomy and self-sufficiency, a strict requirement for deployment within EU and WHO civil protection mechanisms:
- Technical support: Ensuring energy independence and thermal comfort in field conditions.
- Logistics and sanitation: Setting up hygiene facilities and catering capacity meeting strict epidemiological standards.
- Medical component: Operating a field aid station, which serves as a forward workstation for triage and stabilization of the injured before evacuation to definitive healthcare facilities.
Interinstitutional Cooperation
The exercise is carried out in close coordination with the components of the Integrated Rescue System (IZS) and the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic:
- Fire and Rescue Corps (Nitra Regional Directorate): Deployment of the flood rescue module (boats).
- Slovak Police Force: Perimeter security and traffic coordination.
- Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic (1st Mechanized Brigade): Logistical and expert support in disaster recovery.
- Local government: Active participation by the villages of Prašice and Veľké Ripňany in the crisis management process.
Professional Significance
FTX 2026 isn’t just a drill of technical skills, but above all a validation of theoretical knowledge under the stressful conditions of continuous 24/7 operation. For professional paramedics and analysts in emergency medicine, this event represents an important data source for analyzing the effectiveness of triage algorithms and mass-casualty management in the field.
For the professional community and media representatives, attending the exercise is possible after prior coordination with the exercise command, to ensure the smooth conduct of operational tasks.
Legislative framework and sources:
- Slovak Act No. 42/1994 Coll. on Civil Protection of the Population, as amended.
- Slovak Act No. 129/2002 Coll. on the Integrated Rescue System.
- INSARAG (International Search and Rescue Advisory Group) standards for international rescue operations.
- Methodological guidance of the Crisis Management Section of the Slovak Ministry of Interior.
