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Friday 22nd September saw the publication of two new reports into the 7th July London terrorist attacks:
The London Regional Resilience Forum published “'Looking Back, Moving Forward' The Multi-Agency debrief.” This sets out a number of changes that have been since 7th July 2005 and ‘brings together the London resilience partnership's individual debriefs from the event, identifies lessons learnt and notes progress since then’.
A joint statement on the report, agreed by the chair of the LRRF Minister for Local Government Phil Woolas MP, and the deputy chair, Mayor of London Ken Livingstone says:
"The events of 7 July were unprecedented in London, as was the challenge they presented. London's emergency services and transport workers mounted their biggest ever response to a terrorist attack. It was a response characterised by partnership and professionalism, and reflected the contingency plans that had been honed and tested over four years [since 9.11]. There can be no doubt that lives were saved thanks to the efforts of everyone involved in the response.
"The London Regional Resilience Forum plans are constantly being updated and improved. Criticisms are not just welcomed but invited. The downside of this is that the humbling bravery and professionalism of our people can sometimes be hidden. The impression can also be given that planning is not as huge and comprehensive as, in reality, it is."
The official debrief notes successes in several key areas, including:
* The initial response by London Underground staff was exemplary.
* London buses reacted quickly and effectively, by initially withdrawing services from central London and then maintaining staff morale in order to reinstate the network in time for the evening peak.
* 1200 hospital beds were made ready in three hours;
* London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service's mutual aid arrangements were successfully triggered; Local authorities were also well supported by the voluntary sector ambulance.
* London's emergency plans were successfully deployed: the London Emergency
Services Liaison Panel (LESLP) Major Incident Plan, Operation Benbow (joint operation by London's police forces), the London Command and Control Protocol, Local Authority Gold Protocol, First Alert Protocol, Public Information Plan, Mass Fatality Plan and Disaster Fund Plan.
Progress since 7/7 includes:
* The rollout of digital Airwave mobile radio systems for the police services to be completed by October 2007 and moves towards the same system for the ambulance by early 2008 and the fire services by mid 2009.
* An extension of Airwave below ground by special link vehicles;
* Stocks of medical supplies will be held across the transport network at major hubs for potential use by medical staff first on the scene;
* Plans for warning and informing the public and business have been reviewed.
Where interviews are repeatedly broadcast, the media will make it clear that they are broadcasting an earlier recording.
* A new London Resilience website, www.londonprepared.gov.uk, provides advice about emergencies to Londoners, businesses and visitors. The one-stop shop will enable people to get up-to-date and accurate advice before and during an emergency. The website includes business continuity planning information and advice.
Download the report here.
The second document published was the Home Offices’s ‘Addressing lessons from the emergency response to the 7 July 2005 London bombings’ report. This seeks to capture emergency response lessons.
The main findings of the report are:
- The response to the bombings demonstrated the strength and flexibility of the UK’s emergency response arrangements;
- Officials need to share information and provide practical and emotional support to survivors and the families of those killed;
- Reception and assistance centres must be established quickly;
- Communications equipment used by emergency services must be improved.
Download the document from here.
•Date: 22nd Sept 2006• Region: UK•Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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