Effect of Disasters on Emergency Service .pptVIP

UK Disasters and Emergency Service Communications Ronald Hewlett UK Home Office e-mail ronald.hewlett@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk This presentation covers Role of the UK Home Office as regards the Emergency Services Gives brief details of three UK disasters Highlights the main recommendations affecting Emergency Service communications Lists some of the lessons learnt Role of Home Office Government Department responsible for: Police in England and Wales Fire Brigades in England and Wales up to Summer 2001 Emergency planning up to Summer 2001 Airwave project - TETRA trunked radio system for Police and other associated users NOT responsible for Ambulance Service or for British Transport Police Disasters that have affected Police/Fire Communications Kings Cross Underground Fire Clapham Junction Railway Accident Hillsborough Football Stadium Kings Cross Underground Fire in escalator thought to be caused by a smoker not extinguishing a match 31 people died and many were injured Recommendations on communications British Transport Police be able to communicate with London Fire Brigade Fire ground communications below ground to be improved Clapham Junction Two trains collided in South London, shortly followed by another travelling in the opposite direction 35 people died and nearly 500 injured Recommendation on communications Emergency Services provide radio communications at site to facilitate liaison between control unit and experts Hillsborough Stadium 95 people died and over 400 injured just after the start of a football game Main cause was severe overcrowding in part of the stadium A number of recommendations were made regarding the use of radios, method of operation and providing sufficient operators to handle the traffic Lessons Learnt (1) Good communications between all involved organisations at scene and elsewhere is vital Senior people at the scene need to communicate on a dedicated radio channel Sufficient operators needed to handle the traffic Disasters affect a wid