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Exercise to test emergency response in Southampton

Press Releases

Published: 16/11/2011

Residents and people travelling through Southampton could see lots of emergency services activity on Thursday (November 17) as the services join together to exercise their response to a chemical attack.

The test involves officers from Hampshire Constabulary, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service and South Central Ambulance Service who will test their skills and the equipment they would use to manage an incident involving a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear agent (CBRN).  

Each of the emergency services has staff specially trained in dealing with CBRN incidents and they will be put their paces.  

Chief Inspector Jon Malley, who is part of the exercise team, explained:   “The imaginary scenario we are testing involves a lone domestic extremist who has made a chemical agent which he aims to release in a heavily populated area for example a town centre.  

“We are testing the Southampton CBRN model response plan at a tactical command level located at the police support headquarters at Netley and with live players on the ground at Town Depot, on Albert Road, Southampton.  

“As a result, it is likely that people coming into Southampton from the Itchen Bridge and Woolston side will see a lot of activity beneath the bridge involving all three emergency services – please do not be alarmed. There is absolutely no danger to the public, we are just practicing and developing our response techniques.

“We are grateful to Southampton City Council for allowing us use their site.”  

The exercise is scheduled to begin at 9am and will conclude by 4pm.

 

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