Sutaj Estok: Simulated Attack Exercise Held at Government Office on Friday

Bratislava, February 28 (TASR) - A tactical civil protection exercise took place at the Government Office in Bratislava on Friday, with security and rescue forces responded to a simulated terrorist attack, Interior Minister and Voice-SD leader Matus Sutaj Estok stated on the same day, emphasising the need for prevention in light of increasing global security challenges. "It was a live exercise because our rescue units weren't informed that it was a drill, but were told that a terrorist attack was taking place at the Government Office, so the response times and deployment of units were also tested," said the interior minister during a press conference. Police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and the Office for the Protection of Constitutional Officials were involved in the exercise. In this context, Sutaj Estok recalled the assassination attempt on Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) that took place in May of last year. "We must be prepared for the possibility of such attacks," he added. According to the minister, the exercise confirmed that the security forces are able to cooperate effectively. The Interior Ministry stated that the aim of the exercise was to develop skills and habits among the members of the civil protection units and Government Office employees in the event of an emergency. They practiced procedures for evacuation and sheltering, securing the workplace before evacuation, moving along evacuation routes, setting up a simple self-made shelter, and distributing special individual protection equipment for people. lin/df