15/12/2003

London anti-terror exercise findings published

The anti-terror exercise at Bank Underground Station last September, which tested emergency response to a mock up chemical attack in central London, confirmed that a "great deal of work" has been done but that more was needed in the future.

The exercise was designed to enable London's frontline services, fire, police and ambulance, to practise their response to a chemical attack on the Tube.

The exercise established that there needed to be: "contingency planning", preparation and funding for responding to large scale emergencies; alternative rescue plans for "difficult environments" like the London Underground; and "earlier assessment, care and delivery of specific antidotes to contaminated casualties" from ambulance crews.

Secretary of State for Transport Alastair Darling said: "This was an extremely valuable exercise, which allowed us to test the capability and constraints of our emergency services under difficult circumstances. Exercises such as this are also an opportunity to learn and we have identified areas that need further development."

The government, the Mayor of London and London's emergency services will continue to work together, through the London Resilience Forum, to ensure these lessons are learnt to improve the capital's preparedness, now and for years to come, the government said.

The exercise was organised by the London Resilience Forum, the pan-London emergency planning body chaired by London Resilience Minister, Nick Raynsford with Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London as deputy chair.

Further exercises are planned over the next two years, including a joint UK/US exercise planned for 2005.

(gmcg)

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