By Christine June
Public Affairs Office
George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies

GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany (June 25, 2015) Guatemalan Air Force Maj. Roderico Stoardo Guzman Barrera (on the stretcher lying), a participant in the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies’ Seminar on Transnational Civil Security, role plays as an injured person for a demonstration by the Technisches Hilfwerk (federal agency for technical relief) here June 23.

Barrera was one of 55 STACS participants from 35 countries, who learned how the THW rescue injured from rough terrain or a collapsed building. They also saw how the THW’s Youth Group trains through a binding-demonstration. Participants got a close up look at the equipment used by the THW.

The visit was part of a three-week seminar that examines best practices for ensuring civil security and managing the consequences of domestic and regional crises and disasters.

"A major problem with global disaster prevention is that many governments can’t fund the necessary resources or the related personnel required,” said Dr. Graeme Herd, STACS course director. "This is an excellent example of a response team for those countries that do not have full-time professional fire department or rescue teams.”

The STACS course is one of eight resident courses offered by the Marshall Center, a German-American institution designed to create a more stable security environment.