Designing, adapting and implementing a simulation exercise in the context of prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) planning

This course will be held once in 2025:

• 18-19 June 2025 in Prague, Czech Republic
  • Venue and accommodation: Hotel Carol

Application and selection process: Please apply only if you are certain that you will participate. By applying, you confirm that you have the approval of your department. The selection of participants will be carried out in coordination with national contact points. Participants will be informed accordingly. Please note that individuals nominated by their country will receive priority access to the trainings, and remaining spots will be allocated based on availability. To register, please click on the "Apply" button located at the top right of the page.

Application Deadline is 16 May 2025 

Logistics for the training course

Arrival: Participants are expected to arrive the evening before the training starts. 
Welcome reception: Participants are invited to an informal welcome reception on the evening before the training begins. To help us plan accordingly, please confirm your attendance.
Venue and accommodation: Hotel Carol
Flights: Event managers will contact registered participants to coordinate flight bookings and flight arrangements. The participants are required to confirm the reservations for the flights to be purchased and the participants will receive e-tickets. 
Costs: All costs, including accommodation, meals, and travel, will be covered by the EPIC11 project. Please check the Reimbursement policy

About the course 

Whether it’s a pandemic, chemical spill or migration, being ready means more than having a plan - it means practicing it. Simulation exercises are one of the most effective ways to turn emergency plans into real-world practice: helping assess systems, build confidence, and identify gaps before a crisis strikes. But how to design or implement an effective simulation exercise? This hands-on training course is designed for public health professionals and emergency planners across the EU who want to develop and implement impactful simulation exercises at national or regional level.

Through expert-led sessions and peer exchange, participants will learn how to design realistic scenarios, engage key stakeholders, and evaluate outcomes that truly drive preparedness forward. Simulation exercises also create a safe space to test cross-sector collaboration, clarify roles and responsibilities, and strengthen decision-making under pressure. In an interconnected Europe, harmonised and tested preparedness is more important than ever.

The two-day programme offers interactive sessions that introduce the key foundations and essential elements of simulation exercise design, followed by hands-on group work focused on scenario building. In the second phase of the training, attention shifts to developing the necessary documentation and managing the logistics involved in delivering a successful simulation exercise. Participants will work with a progressive scenario to design a full exercise delivery plan, including crafting targeted injects and applying appropriate evaluation methods. The course is highly practical and activity-based, providing participants with a unique opportunity to deepen their skills and knowledge in simulation exercise planning and execution. With a specific focus on public health, this training aims to equip professionals with the tools needed to design impactful, realistic simulations that strengthen emergency preparedness and response capacities.

Participants

The course welcomes professionals from EU Member States, Lichtenstein, Norway, Iceland involved in emergency preparedness and response. It is particularly suited for mid- and high-level managers, public health specialists, officials, and technical experts working at national and sub-national levels. The course welcomes professionals from multiple sectors who are involved in developing policies, national operational plans, or international health regulations for emergencies. Additionally, it targets practitioners responsible for creating strategies, plans and recommendations related to PPR within ministries, public health institutes, hospitals, and agencies.

Preparatory materials

Two e-learning accredited courses on simulation exercises are available in the ECDC Learning Portal as a primer to introduce the course:

· How to design a Functional Exercise (FX)

· How to design a Table-top exercise (TTX)

Join us and gain the tools to make your next simulation count!

Overview of EU Preparedness Trainings in 2025