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Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service undertake multi-agency training exercise at Moreton-in-Marsh Fire Service College

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In attendance at the training exercise which took place on Thursday 19 September were Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS), Police, Southwest Ambulance Service, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, Avon Fire and Rescue Service, the Hazardous Area Response Team, Seven Area Rescue Association, Military, as well as a number of volunteers from Hartpury College who acted as ‘casualties’ in the simulated exercise. 

The training exercise was organised by GFRS with the aim to test and assure a multi-agency approach to a simulated large-scale Marauding Terrorist Attack (MTA). 

The simulated incident tested the extensive skills and expertise of multiple agencies in response to a variety of simulated attacks including, vehicle, fire, bladed weapon, and improvised explosive device.

This exercise is part of contingency planning and is standard national practice. Although we hope that we will never be called to such an incident, we train regularly and extensively to ensure that we are fully prepared and can respond effectively and appropriately when we are needed.

Mark Preece, Chief Fire Officer at Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This large-scale, dynamic training exercise highlights the extraordinary level of skills, knowledge and expertise of ourselves and our emergency service partners.

We always hope that we will never be called to such an incident, but by taking part in regular training exercises and continuously testing and developing our skills we can ensure that we are prepared when we are needed”.

Cllr Dave Norman, cabinet member with responsibility for the Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Through, extensive, regular training, testing our skills, and working closely and collaboratively with our emergency service partners we are confident in achieving our mission of a safer Gloucestershire”.