Empowering Communities Under Fire: REACT’s Incident Management Training Brings Lifesaving Skills to Ukraine

REACT recently deployed to deliver lifesaving medical training to people in Ukraine who live with the daily threat of attack as the conflict persists. The fourth deployment of its kind, volunteer Responders have now provided this training for over 400 people. This latest response saw teams facilitate six hands-on training sessions across multiple locations, including Odesa, Yuzhne, and Fastiv. The training provides an opportunity to learn and practice potentially lifesaving first aid skills and Responders welcomed a diverse group of learners, from police cadets and NGO members to youth leaders and even children.

With recent nearby missile attacks and drone strikes, learners arrived with a fierce drive to gain practical, lifesaving skills. Each attendee walked away equipped to handle critical situations, potentially making all the difference in their communities. The gratitude and engagement they demonstrated, highlighted the continuing urgent need for this training.

A woman who had recently lost her husband on the front lines, put it simply: “We need this training because people are dying.”

Hands-On Training, Real-Life Impact

Each training session covered essential skills in managing incidents, offering both theoretical knowledge and practical exercises that allowed learners to experience simulated crisis situations. This included effective crowd management, immediate first-aid response, and coordinating evacuation procedures—skills that, in Ukraine, can be the difference between survival and tragedy.

The value of these skills was clearly felt, as attendee feedback showed unanimous agreement on the importance of the training. Reflecting on the experience, REACT's Paul Taylor shared, “These are the days that reaffirm why I am with REACT. Seeing knowledge and skill resonate with people who may have to use it is immensely powerful.”

Leaving Resources Behind for Continued Resilience

Beyond training, the deployment included vital supplies for local medical facilities. Responders left hundreds of emergency dressings, triangular bandages and tourniquets, providing essential resources that could be used in future incidents. Each piece of equipment was carefully selected to support immediate trauma care, giving communities the tools they need to manage injuries in the absence of nearby medical support.

The Locations and Their Significance

The chosen training sites, including Odesa, Yuzhne, and Fastiv, all bear deep scars from the ongoing war. Yuzhne, a strategic port city, had experienced missile attacks just a week prior to REACT’s arrival. Similarly, the city of Fastiv has a history of conflict and recently saw an influx of over 10,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to the war. With local infrastructure under constant threat, the need for local responders has never been more apparent.

Training in these locations was both an act of preparation and solidarity, offering hope in areas where conflict feels relentless. The dedication of local learners, braving daily risks to improve their community’s safety, underscored the impact that REACT’s response continues to have in Ukraine.

Moving Forward with Resilience and Compassion

Operation PACE shows REACT’s commitment to empowering communities under pressure. Videos and testimonials from the deployment are now being developed to share the impact of this mission with a wider audience. In one of these testimonials, a local Ukrainian Education Platform (UEP) contact stated, “Only REACT comes to places like this,” highlighting the unique role REACT plays in delivering support to areas often overlooked by other organisations.

With the challenges of winter looming and attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure likely to increase, REACT is already discussing plans with UEP for further training and assistance in early 2025. For those who have seen the impact of these efforts firsthand, the answer is clear: providing critical skills, resources, and support is essential for these communities to continue to endure and recover.

A Lasting Impact

REACT’s mission in Ukraine is more than just immediate relief; it is an investment in resilience. By equipping Ukrainians with the skills to manage crises, REACT helps create a network of local responders who can stand strong in the face of ongoing hardship. This mission reflects one of our core beliefs: that everyone has the potential to make a difference when equipped with the right tools and knowledge.