Crews tackle simulated terrorist attack at Cotswold Airport

The training took place across three days and involved different scenarios, including a plane crash, a terrorist attack and trapped casualties. 

It also included the discovery of an identified device and suspected nerve agent.

Volunteers from the Casualties Union and staff and students from Hartpury College were also involved in the exercise, playing the part of casualties.

The training was organised and facilitated by Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS).

Dozens of firefighters from Avon, Gloucestershire, Dorset & Wiltshire, West Midlands and Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service all took part. 

Crews worked collaboratively with staff from Cotswold Airport as well as police, ambulance, and military to respond to the number of casualties seeking medical assistance

Members of the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory were also in attendance.

As part of the training, police declared Operation Plato and Operation Tapestry – rarely exercised – in response to the staged terrorist attacks.

"We hope we’ll never be called to such a devastating incident"

Shane Saunders from Avon Fire & Rescue Service said: “This training exercise has provided an exciting and unique opportunity for Urban Search and Rescue, firefighters, paramedics, police, military, and facilitators to test their reaction to a major incident involving aircrafts.

“Although we hope we’ll never be called to such a devastating incident, it’s vital that we practise our response and how we work alongside other agencies.

The Rapid Relief Team, a charity supporting communities in need and providing relief in emergencies, were on hand to serve refreshments throughout the exercises.  

Shane added: “I’d like to say a special thank you to all the hardworking individuals – within 
AF&RS and externally – involved in the planning, preparing and facilitation of the training exercise. 

“It’s been three years in the making as we wanted to ensure there was plenty for everyone in attendance to properly apply their knowledge, experience, and skills to different scenarios – and it was successful in doing that.”

Matt Armstrong, area manager for Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service said: “This training exercise has provided a fantastic opportunity for us to work in collaboration with other services, partners, and organisations as well as enabling us to assure our levels of response to significant incidents.

"Simulated incidents are developed to reflect potential real-life scenarios ensuring that we are fully prepared and can respond effectively and appropriately when we are needed.

"Ourselves and our partners train extensively to develop strong working relationships and share knowledge to ensure that we can deliver the highest level of emergency response to our communities.”