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Rescue drill for 'terror attack' Rescue drill for 'terror attack'
(about 3 hours later)
Emergency services are taking part in a major search and rescue exercise to test how well they would cope in a genuine disaster like a terror attack.Emergency services are taking part in a major search and rescue exercise to test how well they would cope in a genuine disaster like a terror attack.
Three "incidents" have taken place in Merseyside, Lincolnshire and Gloucestershire, prompting a response from ambulance and fire crews.Three "incidents" have taken place in Merseyside, Lincolnshire and Gloucestershire, prompting a response from ambulance and fire crews.
The drill began at 0800 GMT on Saturday and will continue for 24 hours.The drill began at 0800 GMT on Saturday and will continue for 24 hours.
In one scenario, firefighters must recover injured people buried under rubble after an explosion.In one scenario, firefighters must recover injured people buried under rubble after an explosion.
The three incidents are at Kirby, Merseyside, RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire and at the Fire Service College in Gloucestershire. The three incidents are at Kirkby, Merseyside, RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire and at the Fire Service College in Gloucestershire.
About 120 firefighters are taking part across the country. It is co-ordinated by the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team.About 120 firefighters are taking part across the country. It is co-ordinated by the Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team.
BBC Radio 5 Live's Andrew Fletcher, who is witnessing the exercise in Kirby, Merseyside, said it was thought to be the biggest of its kind ever staged in this country. BBC Radio 5 Live's Andrew Fletcher, who is witnessing the exercise in Kirkby, Merseyside, said it was thought to be the biggest of its kind ever staged in this country.
He said the aim was to test the competency of the firefighters and other emergency services taking part, and the capability of the command structures and communication systemsHe said the aim was to test the competency of the firefighters and other emergency services taking part, and the capability of the command structures and communication systems
In Kirby, the aftermath of a terror attack has been reconstructed in a building and real people have been "buried" under rubble in an empty diving pool.In Kirby, the aftermath of a terror attack has been reconstructed in a building and real people have been "buried" under rubble in an empty diving pool.
Dan Stephens, area commander of Merseyside Fire and Rescue, said it was as realistic as it could be, with sniffer dogs and firefighters racing against time to rescue people before they "died".Dan Stephens, area commander of Merseyside Fire and Rescue, said it was as realistic as it could be, with sniffer dogs and firefighters racing against time to rescue people before they "died".
"We've had access over the last couple of weeks and we've constructed a series of 'hides' within the property which will require some pretty demanding efforts to locate and extricate casualties.""We've had access over the last couple of weeks and we've constructed a series of 'hides' within the property which will require some pretty demanding efforts to locate and extricate casualties."