Drama at the main train station: ASB federal exercise shows frightening reality!

Drama at the main train station: ASB federal exercise shows frightening reality!

On June 28, 2025, the impressive ASB federal exercise took place at Kassel main station, which brought together numerous emergency services and volunteers. In a dramatic scenario, the mimes, supported by over 640 emergency workers from the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB), simulated a serious accident with 120 injuries after an emergency stop. How HNA Reportedly, the mimes were given deceptive makeup to portray a wide range of injuries. From minor injuries to the most serious injuries to critical condition prognoses, it was clearly shown how diverse the use of volunteers in the rescue service is.

A total of 85 mimes were on duty, including many volunteers and trainees in the rescue service. These helping hands were in so-called triage categories, which ranged from “green” for those with minor injuries to the “red” category for those in acute danger of life. The actress Nina Sander played a particularly impressive role as a seriously injured patient with internal bleeding, while Amy Richter took on the role of a mentally stressed, slightly injured woman. The most important scenarios of the exercise included not only the emergency braking at the main train station, but also a simulated hot air balloon crash in the forest and two capsized Canadians on the Fulda, which are reported in detail by the ASB.

Insight into the exercise

The day before, a water rescue exercise on the Fulda set further accents by simulating a barbecue accident. These different scenarios illustrate the diverse range of tasks of the emergency services and offer an excellent opportunity to test the cooperation between different modules. Boris Michalowski, head of ASB disaster response and one of the 15 makeup artists, ensured that each injury depiction was as realistic as possible. After the exercise, the mimes were able to explain their experiences and the severity of their injuries. Marcus Rebizant reportedly received a lower rating than initially thought, highlighting the dynamic nature of such critical situations.

The entire process of the ASB federal exercise 2025 aims to check and strengthen operational capability in complex situations. The exercise is not only an important training measure in civil protection, but also gives students in the field of crisis and disaster management the opportunity to prepare for responsible positions. The Steinbeis Academy highlights how essential sound emergency management is in times of growing digital risks and geopolitical crises.

The ASB federal exercise is an impressive example of the commitment and preparation that goes into civil protection. Every time it is supported by prominent personalities - this year YouTuber Aaron Troschke was there to document the campaign. Such events show that not only the emergency services are highly valued, but also the opportunity for each individual to get involved in crisis situations and demonstrate a good knack for helping.