From 28 May to 1 June 2025, the Austrian Red Cross and the federal branch of Carinthia conducted their bi-annual large-scale national exercise “Nock Alert 2025” in Bad Kleinkirchheim, Carinthia, in the southern part of Austria. The event brought together around 500 operational staff from various response modules across Austria and involved approximately 1,000 participants, including roleplayers and support personnel.
A fully equipped Base of Operations was established at the exercise site, featuring a Command and Control room, radio communications, field kitchen, and sanitation facilities. The multi-day event simulated a wide range of emergency scenarios, such as mountain rescues, lakeside incidents, attacks, and event safety challenges, providing critical training and evaluation opportunities for first responders.
In parallel with the operational components, a dedicated exhibition and exchange fair allowed research Austrian Red Cross teams to present ongoing innovation efforts. The POWERBASE project was presented in a creative and engaging format, drawing significant attention from participants, particularly units focused on sheltering and camp infrastructure, technical support, and international observers.
The POWERBASE team introduced the project’s goals and the upcoming “marathon” of innovation activities aimed at shaping the next generation of mobile, low-emission energy solutions for emergency response operations. The feedback and interest received confirm the strong relevance of POWERBASE’s objectives to the real-world needs of civil protection and disaster response units.
We thank the Austrian Red Cross and the Carinthian team for this excellent opportunity to engage directly with end users and field experts.
