Greece and Cyprus are joining forces for the transnational exercise “SYNASPIS 2026,” which will take place on October 20 in Andros, with the aim of strengthening their readiness and coordination to respond to incidents involving a large number of casualties. The exercise is organized by the National Emergency Aid Center (EKAV) and the Cyprus Ambulance Service of the State Health Services Organization (OKYPY), with the support of the Municipality of Andros.
The exercise will take place in a semi-mountainous area of Chora, Andros. The operational scenario involves a traffic accident in which a passenger tourist bus veers off the road and overturns, resulting in mass casualties. Through this simulation, procedures for immediate mobilization, operational coordination, triage of the injured, rescue, provision of pre-hospital care, and patient transport will be tested in practice.
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A central focus of the exercise will be the joint operational action of EKAB’s Special Disaster Medical Unit (ETIK) and the HART team of the Cyprus Ambulance Service. Their collaboration will be put to the test in a practical setting, with the aim of evaluating their interoperability, communication, and coordination, as well as their ability to effectively manage incidents involving a large number of casualties under challenging conditions.
The cooperation between Greece and Cyprus in prehospital emergency care strengthens both countries’ preparedness to respond to major incidents and disasters. Of particular importance is the ability to respond in island and remote areas, as well as the simultaneous management of a large number of casualties.
Through joint training, personnel from both agencies exchange knowledge and experience, become familiar with the procedures of the collaborating teams, and develop a common operational understanding. Clear communication, mutual trust, and effective coordination are key factors for a successful response to real-life emergency situations.
“SYNASPIS 2026” represents an important step toward further strengthening operational cooperation between Greece and Cyprus, laying the groundwork for new joint training initiatives and enhancing the capacity for mutual assistance. The findings of the exercise will contribute to the evaluation of the procedures implemented, the identification of areas for improvement, and the strengthening of the joint response to incidents involving mass casualties.
At the same time, the exercise will provide political and administrative leaders with the opportunity to observe firsthand the operational capabilities of the participating teams, highlighting the crucial role of continuous training, operational readiness, and transnational cooperation.
Through joint training and the exchange of expertise, EKAV and the Cyprus Ambulance Service are strengthening their mutual cooperation and their ability to respond in a coordinated and effective manner to complex emergency situations, with the protection of human life remaining a constant priority.
