Major incident training held at Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre
On Sunday 28th September, Porterbrook supported the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service (GFRS) with multi-agency training at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre to test emergency readiness.
Porterbrook supplied the location, facilities and the train for the exercise which simulated a passenger train colliding with multiple vehicles at an unstaffed level crossing.
In addition to its testing, storage and maintenance capabilities, the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre is a unique location for multi-agency major incident exercises, providing a live rail environment while maintaining the safety of a closed site.
The agencies involved in this exercise were GFRS, Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, Avon Urban Search and Rescue, Gloucestershire Police, and Severn Area Rescue Association.
The training included numerous simulated casualties and fatalities, provided by Casualty Union and Hartpury College, as well as additional responses to threatening passenger and missing person situations.
Stuart Parsons, General Manager at the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre, said: “Railway safety is paramount and, while we hope that real incidents like this never happen, we’re pleased that Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre has been able to support the industry to be as prepared as possible.”
Mark Preece, Chief Fire Officer at GFRS, 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 Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member with responsibility for the Public Health, communities and Fire, 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”.
