Support given at London ‘air crash’ site

The Pan London emergency response unit, under the direction of Major Karl Gray, attended a multi-agency major incident training exercise at Millennium Mill in East London from Saturday 26th until Monday 28th April, hosted by London Fire Brigade.

The scenario was built around a major air crash, in London, and gave opportunity to test local and national emergency response procedures in the event of a major air crash incident in London.  The exercise provided a unique opportunity for the blue light services to work together effectively to practice life-saving and search and rescue skills that are required in responding to such an incident.  

Volunteers served refreshments 24/7 throughout the exercise and provided a welcome break to all those participating in the exercise.  Working alongside London Fire Brigade were the Metropolitan Police Service, London Ambulance Services and other specialist units from London and across the country.  They also supported more than 100 volunteer ‘casualties’ from a university paramedic course and actors from Amputees in Action, an agency which provides amputee actors. These visitors, who were made up to ensure the mass casualty environment was as realistic as possible for the emergency services, made a startling appearance as all turned up after a briefing at the start of the exercise.

The event gave The Salvation Army a unique opportunity to exercise its own resilience and test its capabilities in responding to a protracted incident in the capital.