American Experience in Crisis Management

CHISINAU, April 20, 2012 — A group of Public Affairs officers of the Ministry of Defense and the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management made an observation visit to “Coastal Watch 2012” Exercise held April 11-16, in South Carolina, USA.

“Coastal Watch 2012” is an yearly preparedness exercise focused on simulating rescue efforts to be employed in emergency situations and meant to train and evaluate competences, experience and interagency cooperation level in support of Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA).

This year, the event included the simulation of an earthquake causing huge damage in South Carolina’s low country.

During the visit, the Moldovan officers visited a few military sites and civil services, including crisis management operations centers, engaged in preventing and removing consequences of weather disasters often recorded in this region. They also had access to all the stages of the exercise, both in the field and at the command level, thus taking over the experience of organizing PAO activity during crisis situations, mainly revealing the authorities’ promptness and the open access provided to media for a further objective evaluation of the situation and information of the society.

This visit is part of the Republic of Moldova and US State Partnership Program military bilateral relationship, and mainly the North Carolina National Guard partnership with the National Army. Hence, the North Carolina partners facilitated the Moldovan servicemen’s access to “Coastal Watch 2012” exercise, organized by their South Carolina colleagues.

Promoted by the North Carolina National Guard and established in 1999, this partnership involves both military civil areas, including art, medicine, education and business domains.