London emergency services is carrying out one of their biggest ever practice exercises for a simulated plane crash in the nation’s capital.
The exercise utilises fake casualties but real fire, smoke, and a Boeing 737 fuselage covered in 400 tones of rubble at a location by the river Thames in Silvertown, Newham.
The three day exercise was hosted by the London Fire Brigade, with fire rescue working alongside teams from the Metropolitan Police, London Ambulance Service, and Urban Search and Rescue teams from across the country.
The London Fire Brigade said:
The exercise aims to test local and national emergency response procedures to a major air crash incident in London. Over 220 emergency service personnel will take part, including specialist Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams from London and across the country, the Metropolitan Police Service, and London Ambulance Service.
London Fire Commissioner, Ron Dobson, said:
It is only through this kind of exercise that we can fully test our plans and ensure that all the agencies which would be involved can respond effectively together, in a co-ordinated manner.
Director of Operations at London Ambulance Service, Jason Killens, said:
Although this type of incident is extremely rare, it is important that we work together and plan now so we can continue to be well prepared for every possibility.
