Joint Transnational TMF Disaster Management Exercise in Szolnok within the frame of the SAFETY4TMF Project

The Middle Tisza District Water Directorate (KÖTIVIZIG) organized the Joint Transnational TMF Disaster Management Exercise on 23–24 September 2025 in Szolnok, Hungary, at the Gábor Karcagi Flood Protection Training Site, within the framework of the SAFETY4TMF project. The aim of the event was to provide a practical demonstration of flood protection and water quality damage mitigation tasks, as well as to strengthen cooperation and experience exchange among national and international professionals.
The two-day event was attended by more than 70 participants and was realized with the involvement of project partners, associated strategic partners, external experts, local governments, and professionals of KÖTIVIZIG.

The SAFETY4TMF project – Coordinated prevention and disaster management activities of authorities, municipalities, and other stakeholders at tailings management facilities to reduce transnational risks and hazards – is implemented with the support of the Danube Region Programme between 2024 and 2026. The project leader is the Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development, while the Middle Tisza District Water Directorate (KÖTIVIZIG) participates as an active partner.

Altogether, 15 project partners and 10 strategic partners cooperate within the initiative, sharing the common goal of improving the preparedness of disaster management authorities, promoting international experience exchange, and ensuring safer operation of tailings management facilities.

The two-day professional program began on 23 September with the presentation of the project and the exercise, followed by the official opening ceremony. Among the participants were State Secretary Dr. Miklós Dukai, Ministerial Commissioner Ferenc Szalay, County Commissioner Dr. Attila Berkó, and Attila Lovas, Director of KÖTIVIZIG.
In his presentations, Róbert Kara (KÖTIVIZIG) introduced issues related to flood protection height deficiencies and the management of flood phenomenas, which participants were able to study on site through practical demonstrations presented by Tamás Tóth (KÖTIVIZIG).

At the end of the first day, participants also visited the Water Management Museum.

On 24 September, the focus shifted to water quality damage mitigation. In his theoretical presentation, Sándor Vass (KÖTIVIZIG) introduced the management of surface water pollution and related response methods. On-site exercises (aeration and oil containment using Sanol) supported experience exchange. The event concluded with a summary of the exercise and a consultation conducted within the framework of a Peer Review.

The flood protection and water quality damage mitigation exercise organized by KÖTIVIZIG and held on 23–24 September 2025 represents an important milestone in achieving the objectives of the SAFETY4TMF project, contributing to the enhancement of disaster management preparedness and to the more effective management of risks related to tailings management facilities in the Danube Region.