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Emergency Medical Team Coordination Cell Training Course for the Baltic Countries Hosted in Vilnius, Lithuania (16 – 22 March 2025) Background 1. Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) are responding nationally and internationally in a variety of roles as part of, or to augment, the capacity of national/local health systems overburdened by the COVID-19 pandemic or in responding to sudden onset disasters, conflict or displacement emergencies. Lessons learned from previous operations have led to increased awareness of the need for flexible and effective EMT coordination mechanisms that may be adapted in-country for different types of health emergency scenarios. 2. The EMT Coordination Cell (EMTCC), typically led by host government health authority, is responsible for coordinating both National and International EMTs during each phase of the response and may request for support from WHO and the EMT Secretariat at global headquarters, Geneva. Current Status 3. Since 2015, a standard EMTCC training course was introduced in various regions and resulted in over 250 participants graduating onto the global cadre. Following a periodic curriculum review process, various modifications have been made to align the training package with latest developments in the sector and ensure continued relevance for course graduates, many of whom have deployed in EMT coordination roles on behalf of their own Ministry of Health or in support of other countries. 4. Recent developments in deploying Rapid Response Mobile Labs (Mayotte, FRA), the strengthening of inter-operability and collaboration between RRML and EMTs in recent field exercises (Turkiye 2023, Georgie 2024), common challenges in coordination and shared interest during CBRN related emergencies, this training will address the assignment and opportunities for future EMTCC trained experts. 5. There have been eight EMTCC courses in the WHO European Region, with the most recent in May 2024. Until now, countries in the Baltics have been underrepresented at these training events, however the recent emergencies have given rise to a new level of awareness within their national systems. The EMT coordination mechanism within each Ministry of Health is at different points of maturity and it is anticipated that the benefits of bringing key personnel together, to exchange knowledge and collective skills development, will be both timely and substantial. Training Proposal – Purpose and Objectives 6. Building on earlier initiatives, this proposal entails a face-to-face EMTCC Training Course for regional cohort to be held in Vilnius, Lithuania. The course will begin 15.00hrs on Sunday 16 March and conclude at 12.00hrs on Saturday 22 March 2025. Following the existing training cycle, graduates will be invited to become part of the global EMTCC roster. 7. The overarching purpose of the training is to enhance the familiarization of participants with EMT coordination methodology, in this training with a special focus on integrating RRML’s during a CBRN related event, in order to facilitate a cohesive national response based in the national emergency operations center and incident management system. It is primarily focused on national leadership of EMT coordination but will also add to the cadre of regionally based personnel who could be readily seconded to another EMTCC in another country, in the event that external support is required. 8. By the end of the course, participants will be able to: a. Immediately support the functions, responsibilities and core activities of an EMTCC in each phase of a critical emergency response operation, with a clear focus on the support of the people in need; b. Gain trust and confidence from EMTs and other response stakeholders through demonstration of professionalism, dedication and application of latest coordination methodologies and tools; c. Contribute to effective team performance in a stressful, unknown, highly challenging and rapidly-changing multi-lateral environment; d. Select the appropriate interpersonal and facilitation skills for dealing with a range of actors, interests and approaches; e. Continually evaluate the humanitarian context and coordination response to devise appropriate and flexible solutions to EMT coordination challenges as they arise; f. Actively contribute to a community of EMT coordination practitioners committed to upholding humanitarian principles and standards. g. Gain insight in the mechanisms for deploying RRML and their capabilities. h. Understand the risks and threats of chemical spill (CBRN emergency) and the impact on delivering health services during emergencies. 9. The WHO Regional Office for Europe will facilitate course delivery with support from the EMT Secretariat within WHO global headquarters, as well as other partners within the EMT Network. The event will be jointly hosted by the WHO Country Office in Lithuania, in collaboration with the WHO Country Offices in Estonia and Latvia and the Robert Koch Institute in Germany as EMT National Focal Point for EMT initiative. Training Methodologies 10. The course will entail a participatory approach and incorporate a variety of interactive methodologies including, but not limited to: a. Development of regional specific emergency scenarios; b. Focused presentations; c. Group discussions and break-out forums; d. Practical skills stations;  e. Interactive mentoring exercises and/or tabletop exercises; f. Full immersion in a 1.5-day field-based simulation. Course Practicalities and Funding Arrangements 11. The course will be fully residential. WHO country office of Lithuania and Estonia - within the framework of the WHO/EU project “Chemical, biological, and radio-nuclear hazards in the European Region: Enhancing public health and crisis-response capacities in Ukraine, neighboring countries, and beyond” - together with RKI Germany will cover costs and organize admin and course material requirements, block bookings for the venue facilities, catering and accommodation, as well as logistics arrangements. Participants from countries outside the Baltic Member States are encouraged to purchase their own tickets. WHO will cover the costs for faculty members and lead on official communications with the relevant Ministries of Health. Participant Selection 12. The maximum number of participants will be set at 30. The national health authorities of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia will each be invited to nominate 5 participants, and when possible, include one candidate from their respective Red Cross. A further 15 places will be offered to WHO emergencies staff from the region, trained coordinators from DG ECHO and/or other Member States. This mix of nationalities, experiences and backgrounds will increase the learning opportunities and sharing of visions during the training. It will expand the necessary interactions experiences, which occurs in real situations. 13. Final selection will be facilitated by a joint panel with representation from each project partner. A balance of profiles will be sought according to the following criteria: a. Knowledge of national/international health emergency response mechanisms. b. Availability for deployments/secondments in EMTCC roles during emergency response operations. c. Availability to contribute to further preparedness activities related to the subject matter, including relevant field exercises and training courses. d. At least 5 years of experience in health and emergency related areas of relevance to EMTCC functions, in particular: o Leadership and coordination. o Health operations management. o Information and data management. o Operations and team support, including logistics and field hospital support. o Expert advisory roles e.g. clinical (specifically trauma systems management, infectious diseases, rehabilitation etc.), public health expertise related to disasters, outbreak response, medevac and WASH. o Experience in RRML, functioning, deployments. e. Knowledge and insights in CBRN emergencies. Proficient use of the English language would be ideal. Note: a professional medical background is not mandatory for this training event. WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION Date: 24 February 2025 ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE Indrek Simisker BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE EMT National Focal Point REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО Healthcare Crisis Management department [email protected] Head office: Estonia UN City, Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00; Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.who.int/europe Our reference: Your reference: Notre référence: Votre référence: Unser Zeichen: Ihr Zeichen: См. наш номер: На Ваш номер: Dear EMT National Focal Point, Emergency Medical Team Coordination Cell Training Course for Baltic Countries Vilnius, Lithuania, 16 – 22 March 2025 I am pleased to inform you that the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe in collaboration with the EMT Secretariat at WHO in Geneva is planning to conduct the regional training mentioned above, funded by the WHO (within the framework of the WHO/EU project “Chemical, biological, and radio-nuclear hazards in the European Region: Enhancing public health and crisis- response capacities in Ukraine, neighbouring countries, and beyond”) in collaboration with Robert Koch Institute (RKI) Germany. This training course is to enhance the familiarization of participants with EMT coordination methodology. Focused on leadership of EMT coordination and strengthening participants' knowledge, skills, and competencies required to effectively perform various functions within a EMTCC preparing for and responding to health emergencies. The EMT Coordination Cell (EMTCC) plays a critical role in the coordination of health emergencies, providing a foundation for coordination, collaboration, and information management to support response and recovery activities by various national and international EMTs. This training program is designed to provide standardized training to Member States across various sectors, NGOs, and the regional EMT community of practice, with the goal of enhancing its functionality for emergency management. Renowned experts in the field of health emergency management will be invited to facilitate the sessions and share their invaluable experience. The course will entail a participatory approach and incorporate a variety of interactive methodologies. The training will be a mix of theory, discussions, and simulation- based learning. Enclosed is an outline of the workshop's concept note, along with a provisional agenda. UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email: [email protected] DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: https://www.who.int/europe Denmark Upon completion of the training, participants are expected to bring their new knowledge and experiences back to support the strengthening of their national EMTs and EMTCC and are invited to contribute to the roster of deployable EMTCC experts. I am pleased to invite you to nominate up to 5 experts to participate in the training between 16 to 22 March 2025. These experts should be individuals actively involved in emergency management operations and/or EMTs that are classified or under mentorship by WHO. Below is the profile of the expected participants: 1. The National Focal Point (NFP) and Team Focal Point (TFP) of classified EMTs or those under mentorship. 2. Senior emergency management expert involved in preparedness and response activities at the Member State level. 3. Experts from EMTs, including: • A manager or expert responsible for coordinating emergency operations. • Health or non-health staff in coordination roles within EMTs (e.g., WASH, logistics, clinical, and technical personnel). • Information managers involved in EMT data management. English will be the training language for the workshop. Please note that the number of seats for this training is limited, and priority will be given to those who fully meet the selection requirements. The course will be fully residential. The acceptance for participants of Member States, includes covering costs for the venue facilities, catering, and accommodation, as well as logistics arrangements including travel, transfer, and DSA, in accordance with WHO's travel regulations throughout the training duration. Kindly submit your nominations, including names, functional titles, and addresses, to Ms Elena Chulkova ([email protected]) by 27th of February 2025. Subsequently, we will directly communicate with the nominees to provide the required travel arrangements, documentation, and administrative details. Should you have any technical inquiries or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected], cc [email protected] at WHO Regional Office for Europe Yours sincerely Dr Ihor Perehinets Regional Emergency Director Encls: Concept note Provisional agenda Copy for information to: Ms Helen Sõber, Adviser, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10122, Estonia, Email: [email protected] Ms Agne Nettan-Sepp, Head, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1 Tallinn 10129, Estonia, Email: [email protected], [email protected] –2– H.E. Ms Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador Representative of the Republic of Estonia, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Estonia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Chemin du Petit-Saconnex 28A Genève CH-1209, Switzerland, Email: [email protected], [email protected] Ms Kristina Köhler, Liaison Officer, WHO Country Office, Estonia, Paldiski Road 81 Tallinn 10617, Estonia, Email: [email protected] –3– Saatja: "EURO EMT" <[email protected]> Saaja: "Indrek Simisker" <[email protected]> Teema: EMTCC Training Course for Baltic Countries to be held in Vilnius, Lithuania, 16 – 22 March 2025 (EST) Kuupäev: 2025-02-25 08:18 Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga. Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada. Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga. Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada. Dear EMT National Focal Point, On behalf of WHO Regional Office for Europe, please find attached a nomination letter, the concept notes and provisional agenda related to the Emergency Medical Team Coordination Cell Training Course for Baltic Countries to be held in Vilnius, Lithuania, 16 – 22 March 2025. Should you have any query, please do not hesitate to contact us on [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]> . With best regards, The EURO EMT Secretariat WHO EURO Emergency Medical Teams Coordination Cell (EMTCC) Training Course Vilnius, Lithuania, 16- 22 March 202 Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Schedule Sunday 16 March Monday 17 March Tuesday 18 March Wednesday 19 March Thu 20 March Fri 21 March 08.30 10.00 Morning Review SIMEX Morning Review Morning Review - Preparation 09.00 14.00 Operational Context Mentoring Exercise Skills Stations: rotate - of the EMTCC 10.30 Faculty Meeting Requesting & Linking with Other SIMEX Overview of the Receiving Humanitarian 11.00 (continued) Arrival of EMTCC Life Cycle International teams - Participants Coordination Structures Field Simulation 12.30 Activation & Set-up in Managing Referrals Exercise the National system Dealing with Operations (SIMEX) Complaints Management 12.30 Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch 13.30 16.30 -17.00 Mentoring Exercise Mentoring Exercise Skills Stations: rotate - case Study: SIMEX Debrief 15.00 - Actor Mapping Managing Handovers V OSOCC/OCHA & De-activation 15.30 Opening - Impact Reception & Departure - & Welcome Assessment & Civil-Military Procedures 17.00 Task Allocation Coordination - Introductions KIMEP SAT 22 March 1700 Review of Deployment module Review - Pre-Learning 17.00 -18.30 17.00 -18.30 Information Action Planning 18.30 RRML introduction CBRN introduction Management Knowledge Test (Late evening KIMEP - MDS Closing ceremony finish) Login / Profile - Dashboards Evening EMTCC Team Team preparation for Returning travels Social Event Free Evening cohesion SIMEX