Birmingham’s International Convention Centre (ICC), 15 August, was a venue for emergency services practising responses to simulated terrorist attacks in the city.
The citywide programme, which included a simulated drill, which saw the release of a chemical into Hall 5 of the ICC, was part of a major European exercise co-ordinated by West Midlands Police and CBRNE.
Researchers from King’s College London analysed the reaction of 150 volunteers who were at the conference as part of a research project looking at public responses to extreme events. The study will help identify practices and procedures that can make emergency response more effective. The exercise day was an opportunity for blue-light services and the local authority to evaluate emergency procedures in the West Midlands.
Yesterday’s exercise was the first of three taking place across Europe over the next two years as part of an EU funded initiative to improve the preparedness and resilience of member states to a terrorist attack. The other exercises will be in Sweden next year and Poland in 2015.
The choice of scenario and location does not imply that such an event is either likely or imminent, but will allow participants to gain valuable information on people’s responses and requirements, which in turn will further develop emergency procedures currently in place.
Chief Superintendent Chris McKeogh said: “This exercise provides a great opportunity for all of those involved to look at procedures in place for an emergency such as this and put them into action. This way, we can evaluate more effectively where we need to further develop our plans and procedures.
“Today’s exercise is a unique opportunity to play a key role in an international project alongside a large number of other local and international agencies and organisations. We are advanced already in our ability to deal with major incidents and it’s a testament to the expertise and professionalism of the emergency services in the West Midlands that Project PRACTICE and CBRNE chose Birmingham as the setting for such an important piece of work.”
As well as the initial response, the study of human behaviour and the triage of casualties, West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit put its own specialist investigative strategy to the test. Procedures to efficiently identify casualties were also trialed in order to ensure families of those caught up in terrorist attacks can be informed and supported as efficiently as possible.
Chief Supt. McKeogh added: “The UK’s counter terrorism agencies have successfully stopped many terrorist plots in recent years but there is no room for complacency. Today’s exercise will no doubt contribute towards making not only we here in the Midlands, but the wider world, better prepared for a terrorism incident.”
Image: copyright of West Midlands Police
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