Lancashire emergency services' plan for terror attack

Major exercise: Emergency service crews from Lancashire will take part in a anti-terrorism exercise in the wake of the attacks in ParisMajor exercise: Emergency service crews from Lancashire will take part in a anti-terrorism exercise in the wake of the attacks in Paris
Major exercise: Emergency service crews from Lancashire will take part in a anti-terrorism exercise in the wake of the attacks in Paris
The emergency services will take part in a '˜major anti-terrorism exercise', which includes the military, later this month.

Planning for terror attacks has come under scrutiny since ISIS bombers targeted Paris in November, the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) revealed in documents.

“Naturally, and without hyperbole, it is unwise to reveal too much detail,” papers revealed.

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“But the current standard operating procedures for the treatment of casualties have been subject to rigorous testing through exercises both live and notional.

“A major, multi-agency live exercise, including military assets, is scheduled for the region in April and planning and NWAS liaison tasks are already well advanced.”

An NWAS spokesman would not say where exactly the drill will be held, other than ‘around the north west’. It will be closed to the public.

He said: “The trust works extensively to ensure our staff are trained to the highest possible standards and have the best possible knowledge should a major incident occur.

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“Exercises are crucial in testing our procedures to ensure they are fit for purpose and will enable us to save as many lives as possible during such an incident.

“The trust works closely with other services such as police and fire in order to practice responses to a range of incidents and scenarios on a regular basis.

“These robust exercises are undertaken in order to ensure the best possible collaborative working and testing of muti-agency responses in the event of a significant incident.”

The Paris attacks, which happened on Friday, November 13, saw 130 victims and seven terrorists kille in a series of coordinated assaults.

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NWAS documents added: “Following the tragic terrorist attacks in Paris and on the continent, much focus has been applied nationally to the current arrangements for all services to deal with such incidents.”

Tests have already been held at Manchester Airport, where NWAS’s response was compliant with expectations.

Details of the exercise emerged yesterday, the same day a memorial service was held for the Britons killed when ISIS attacked the Tunisian beach resort of Sousse in June last year.

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