S
tanding shoulder to shoulder with other emergency service responders, the Fire and
Rescue Service (FRS) plays a key role in the response to terrorist incidents. The 1974 Birmingham pub bombings, the attack on the Grand Hotel in Brighton by the IRA in 1984 and the 2007 Glasgow International Airport attack, alongside numerous incidents in and around London, have all shown the FRS at the very forefront of the emergency response. This iconic imagery has been captured by the media and provides a lasting reminder of the threat we have faced for some decades.
Of late, and particularly following the events of 11 September 2001 in the USA, the nature and capability of the response has increased significantly in reaction to current and escalating threats. The role of the FRS extends beyond the obvious fire-fighting and rescue capability into one of a partner agency that is integrated at both national and local level into planning, response and recovery arrangements.
Given the increasing level of sophistication and expertise that exists in the Counter Terrorism (CT) world, it is vital that the FRS develops and maintains itself as a trusted partner which possesses many valuable tools and can call on a wealth of expertise. After all, the service has extensive experience in carrying out technical rescues, which can arise in everyday life as a result of accidents, but often present extraordinary predicaments.
These challenging scenarios range from collapsed structures to leaks involving hazardous materials, and often require the provision of advanced trauma care in challenging environments.
Sadly, it is these types of rescues which often characterise the aftermath of a terrorist attack. In addition to the normal Incident Command considerations, however, is malicious intent, which brings an extra layer of uncertainty and potential volatility in which emergency responders must work.
Imagining the unimaginable is difficult for anyone but fortunately the service finds itself well placed, alongside Police and Ambulance partners, to operate within the inner cordon to undertake rescues and save life, whilst preserving a forensically rich and important environment. The challenge of changing preconceived ideas about the FRS capability beyond that of being ‘water-squirters’ is significant but is being won on the basis of demonstrable performance across a range of events and incident types.
A number of FRS now have officers seconded to local CT units to facilitate close working with partners from other agencies in many aspects of the CONTEST strategy. These secondments, along with the development of a cadre of National Incident Liaison Officers (NILOs), support the planning and response phases against those risks identified by the National Risk Assessment.
22 © CI TY S ECURI TY MAGAZ INE – S P RING 2015
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