Seven organisations are coming together in Sutton to test the borough’s ability to respond to a major disaster incident which will be the largest exercise of its kind to be held in South West London.
The exercise will take place on Wednesday, 18 November from 09:30-16:00hrs.
It will involve the Met Police and Sutton Council setting up the borough’s emergency control centre at Sutton Police Station and London Fire Brigade providing an additional dimension to the day by running a decontamination scenario at the Sutton Life Centre.
More than 50 residents have volunteered to be ‘uninjured survivors’ at the decontamination tent which will be within the grounds at the Life Centre and double as a survivor reception centre.
Volunteers will be playing out role characters assigned to them to provide personal details and information whilst wearing special decontamination suits to cover everyday clothes - giving the event a huge sense of realism.
The exercise has been organised by the Safer Sutton Partnership Service - a joint team of Sutton Council and Met Police officers who manage the borough’s community safety services based at Sutton Police station.
Organisations taking part include Sutton Council, Met Police, London Fire Brigade and British Red Cross.
Code named ‘Red Seven’ because of the number of partner organisations taking part, the details of the incident scenario are being kept under wraps until the last minute to create a greater sense of surprise and urgency.
Glenn Phillips, Head of Community Safety, said the simulated disaster will test the borough’s emergency procedures, co-ordination and collaboration when responding to a major incident.
He explained: “The exercise is being undertaken to improve the preparedness of participating agencies, and will help ensure the best possible support can be provided to residents and communities during such emergencies.”
We still have a number of places left for residents who wish to be ‘uninjured survivors’. To volunteer, please contact Mike Lewis, of the Emergency Planning Team, on 020 8649 0608 or email to [email protected]
Please get in touch by mid-day on Friday, 13 November. These places will be offered on a first come, first served basis.
Local residents will receive an information leaflet in the run up to event. This emphasises that the event is just an exercise and there is no need to call the emergency services. Anyone with any concerns can contact Sutton Council’s contact centre on 020 8770 5000.