PSNI hosts 'Major Incident' crisis conference

The PSNI is today hosting a Major Incident Conference in Belfast - the first time all key agencies and support networks across the city have participated in such an event.

The main purpose of the conference is to ‘kick-start’ the formalisation of agreed structures between agencies, so that, in the event of a catastrophic incident, Belfast will be prepared.

The NIO, government departments, Belfast City and International Airports, Fire and Ambulance Services, Health Trusts, transport operators, utilities and Belfast City Council will all come together today to plan how the city would respond to a major incident.

Through hosting this inaugural conference, the police service hopes to develop a working group to build a resilience programme to ensure the safety of the city’s residents.

Chief Superintendent Wesley Wilson, Head of Belfast’s Operational Command Unit, said: “Over the past few years we have witnessed the vulnerability of major cities around the world, not only in terms of terrorist attacks but natural disasters. In Northern Ireland we have been dealing with a terrorist threat for decades but the global threat of attack presents us with a new challenge.

“And as we have observed this summer with two major hurricanes in Florida, natural disasters can wreck havoc on a city and its residents, threatening life, damaging property and having a detrimental effect on the local economy. It is vital that Belfast is prepared for any situation the city may face. We hope, through this first conference today, that a formal agreement can be reached by all agencies involved, ensuring that Belfast is working towards protecting its citizens and infrastructures in the coming years.”

The conference will hear from Gillian Underwood who is Deputy Director of the London Resilience Team. Her multi-agency team was formed in October 2001, in the wake of the September 11 tragedy, and draws upon experts seconded from the emergency services, transport operators, utilities, NHS and local government. The team’s main remit was to conduct a thorough review of all aspects of resilience in London.

Ms Underwood welcomed the opportunity of meeting with colleagues in Belfast and taking away some "fresh thinking" on crisis management.

(GB/GMCG)