This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/10/london-emergency-services-carry-out-training-exercise-at-israeli-embassy
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| London emergency services carry out training exercise at Israeli embassy | London emergency services carry out training exercise at Israeli embassy |
| (11 days later) | |
| A section of the Israeli embassy in London was cordoned off as emergency services carried out a training exercise to test their response to a hazardous substance incident – the first test of its kind at a foreign embassy in the capital. | A section of the Israeli embassy in London was cordoned off as emergency services carried out a training exercise to test their response to a hazardous substance incident – the first test of its kind at a foreign embassy in the capital. |
| Police, firefighters and paramedics wearing biosuits took part in the “live-play” exercise near Kensington Palace in central London on Sunday, amid snowy and wet conditions. | Police, firefighters and paramedics wearing biosuits took part in the “live-play” exercise near Kensington Palace in central London on Sunday, amid snowy and wet conditions. |
| Around 50 members of the Royal Military Police Reserves posed as casualties and embassy staff, though actual staff members were not involved in the exercise. | Around 50 members of the Royal Military Police Reserves posed as casualties and embassy staff, though actual staff members were not involved in the exercise. |
| The test saw emergency service teams descend on the embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens, to rehearse their response to “casualties affected by a noxious substance”. | The test saw emergency service teams descend on the embassy in Kensington Palace Gardens, to rehearse their response to “casualties affected by a noxious substance”. |
| A spokesman for the Metropolitan police, which coordinated the exercise, said all the emergency services were involved, including London fire brigade and the London ambulance service. | A spokesman for the Metropolitan police, which coordinated the exercise, said all the emergency services were involved, including London fire brigade and the London ambulance service. |
| “It was an exercise involving the emergency services, and the reason they do it is to see how they can link up in such events, and if there is anything that can be improved in the future,” the spokesman said. | “It was an exercise involving the emergency services, and the reason they do it is to see how they can link up in such events, and if there is anything that can be improved in the future,” the spokesman said. |
| However, he denied that the event held any connection to events earlier this week, which saw US president Donald Trump recognise the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, with plans to relocate the US embassy there. | However, he denied that the event held any connection to events earlier this week, which saw US president Donald Trump recognise the city of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, with plans to relocate the US embassy there. |
| “It was planned for a long time – it’s just something routine and it could have been any embassy – we just needed a base,” the spokesman said. | “It was planned for a long time – it’s just something routine and it could have been any embassy – we just needed a base,” the spokesman said. |
| He added that the weather conditions “added another dynamic” to the exercise, and said that there were no plans for further events of the kind in the near future. | He added that the weather conditions “added another dynamic” to the exercise, and said that there were no plans for further events of the kind in the near future. |
| Commander Adrian Usher, head of the Met’s parliamentary and diplomatic protection command, said: “This was the first time we have been able to carry out a live exercise inside a foreign embassy and the experience and learning gained from this will be invaluable. | Commander Adrian Usher, head of the Met’s parliamentary and diplomatic protection command, said: “This was the first time we have been able to carry out a live exercise inside a foreign embassy and the experience and learning gained from this will be invaluable. |
| “It also tested our joint response in dealing with a hazardous substance, which is important as it will help officers and staff be better prepared should we ever face this type of challenge for real. | “It also tested our joint response in dealing with a hazardous substance, which is important as it will help officers and staff be better prepared should we ever face this type of challenge for real. |
| “I must stress, however, that the exercise, which has been planned over several months, was not designed with any specific threat in mind, either in terms of the hazardous material element or the location.” | “I must stress, however, that the exercise, which has been planned over several months, was not designed with any specific threat in mind, either in terms of the hazardous material element or the location.” |
| Usher also thanked the embassy for their cooperation, adding: “the learning from this exercise will really benefit and help us in our response should a major incident ever occur at any embassy site in London.” | Usher also thanked the embassy for their cooperation, adding: “the learning from this exercise will really benefit and help us in our response should a major incident ever occur at any embassy site in London.” |
| A spokesperson from the embassy said they were happy to participate and work with the emergency services. | A spokesperson from the embassy said they were happy to participate and work with the emergency services. |
| London fire brigade earlier reassured passersby, tweeting: “If you are out and about near #Kensington High Street / Kensington Place Gardens area today, we are taking part in a @metpoliceuk training exercise close by – it’s not a real incident so please don’t be alarmed”. | London fire brigade earlier reassured passersby, tweeting: “If you are out and about near #Kensington High Street / Kensington Place Gardens area today, we are taking part in a @metpoliceuk training exercise close by – it’s not a real incident so please don’t be alarmed”. |
| London | London |
| Emergency planning | Emergency planning |
| Emergency services | Emergency services |
| Metropolitan police | Metropolitan police |
| Police | Police |
| Firefighters | Firefighters |
| news | news |
| Share on Facebook | Share on Facebook |
| Share on Twitter | Share on Twitter |
| Share via Email | Share via Email |
| Share on LinkedIn | Share on LinkedIn |
| Share on Pinterest | Share on Pinterest |
| Share on Google+ | Share on Google+ |
| Share on WhatsApp | Share on WhatsApp |
| Share on Messenger | Share on Messenger |
| Reuse this content | Reuse this content |