In Kyiv region, Ukrainian Red Cross emergency response teams took part in large-scale winter preparedness training

Over the weekend, comprehensive training was held to strengthen the teams’ readiness for the cold season, potential electricity and heating disruptions, and the increased number of emergencies that often occur in winter.

Volunteers from emergency response teams in Kyiv, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, and Mykolaiv regions, as well as from the National Committee of the Ukrainian Red Cross, took part. Participants practised rescuing people from water, evacuating casualties from upper floors using specialised equipment, registering those affected, coordinating with spontaneous volunteers, setting up tented camps, and operating a field kitchen. Emergency responders, including divers, from the Vyshhorod District Department of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine supported volunteers on the water and coordinated high-rise rescue operations.

On the second day, participants discussed coordination between different services, on-site interaction during emergencies, roles and responsibilities of each service, and mobilisation of necessary resources. The training also provided a platform for dialogue between the State Emergency Service, police, emergency medical teams, and city and district military administrations.

These exercises allow Ukrainian Red Cross volunteers and specialised service representatives to practise emergency response procedures — especially in winter, when service demands increase. This ensures faster, more coordinated action and effective delivery of assistance to those in need.

We stand by those in need!