HPA-led consortium wins €6m EU contract
To develop exercises and training to deal with cross-border health threats
A consortium led by the UK’s Health Protection Agency has been awarded a €6m contract to develop exercises and training on handling cross-border threats to health.
The Case studies, Exercises, LEarning, Surveys and Training across Europe (CELESTE) consortium has been awarded the Multiple Framework Contract for three years, with a possible extension for another year, up to the maximum duration of four years.
In 2008 Exercise Aeolus, designed and delivered by the HPA, examined the capability of departments and institutions at EU countries and European Commission level to work together and share information during a fast-evolving health threat, such as pandemic influenza. This exercise was one of several to address cross-sectoral communication and collaboration at national and EU level.
Dr Paul Cosford, Acting Chief Executive of the Health Protection Agency said: “I am delighted that the consortium that we are leading has been successful in the bidding process. The agency has built up a wealth of expertise in the six years since we began delivering exercises, training, workshops and evaluations for DG SANCO, and we will now build on this knowledge and that of our consortium partners to meet the demands of this work programme.’
The CELESTE consortium includes the HPA, the Italian Istituto Superiore di Sanita (ISS), the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI), and the European CBRNE Centre at Umea University in Sweden.