The exercise was named Paradise City providing training in handling major incidents

The exercise tested operational responses that incorporated USAR, HVP and Enhanced Logistics Support. As well as confirming how these capabilities work alongside first responding crews, various agencies and other specialist teams.

The Scenario

An industrial building had collapsed at SHQ, while at the same time a water incident at a nearby reservoir took place. A strategic holding area was set up at Exeter Services to manage all the resources. Local resources were seen to be stretched and national assistance was requested.

Areas of multi-agency training included an industrial collapsed structure that involved hot metal and concrete cutting skills as well as shoring. There was also rescue from a farm silo, a trench rescue, a multi RTC incident. Live causalities were involved as well as several live scent rescue dogs.

Paul Cross, Group Manager and National Resilience Advisor said: "This is a low frequency, high consequence event which would always be a major incident and multi-agency environment. We try to create as near as possible how an incident would happen.

"Every action has a reaction and often teams have tough decisions to make in these situations that can affect the outcome of a causalities survival. It's important that training is in conjunction with other agencies like the police and ambulance services and other specialists, as they are provided with a basis to react confidently if an incident occurred.

“For example with the collapsed building it first needed stabilising by shoring, creating a safe platform for the teams to get in to treat and rescue causalities. We can’t have a situation where we rescue a rescuer.”  

Phil Watts, lead paramedic from the HART team: “This exercise gives us the opportunity to work with multi agencies as if we were involved in a real incident.  We don’t get to do many exercises together, so it’s good networking for everyone.  It’s also extremely beneficial to have live patients that are really trapped. Moving dummies is one thing, but moving real people is invaluable experience.”

CM Lyndon Mason from Exmouth, riding with Middlemoor: “The benefits of this exercise are that we rarely have the opportunity for training on a multi-car pile-up, especially involving a mini bus and lorry. Now when we turn out on to this kind of incident on the motorway or a country lane, we arrive equipped with both experience and knowledge.”

Oli Hancock, Director of Casualty Resources said: "It's a real privilege to be invited along to help with these days. We work with the military and special forces on a regular basis. It's good to see the fire services implementing such realistic training."

Paul Cross added: "We do have to be prepared to deal for incidents. Prevention is better than cure, but when that is not possible we need to have highly trained individuals that will provide support to get the best outcome for anyone involved. We focus on casualties and communities to give them the best outcome. 

“Days like these make me realise how important and how excellent our teams are in the UK. We train and prepare on a regular basis and we provide the best possible service to our communities.”

Terry Hutchings National Resilience Instructor and exercise coordinator would like to pass on his deepest gratitude to all the supporting personnel involved in this regional   level exercise. This has proved to be a very worthwhile exercise with all the responding crews maintaining a most professional approach when dealing with the varied incidents throughout the days exercise.