23 February 2009
On Monday 23 February 2009, an all day Emergency Planning exercise will be held at the Radisson SAS Hotel. The aim of "Exercise Cold Play" is to develop and build on existing emergency response plans which would be used in the event of an influenza pandemic in Jersey.
Sponsored by the Emergency Planning Board (EPB), the exercise will involve Ministers from the Emergencies Council, Chief Officers from the EPB as well as those from the Emergency Services, media, volunteers and other key organisations and agencies.
The Emergency Planning Officer, Michael Long, explained the overall aim of the exercise, "It is important that individuals and organisations develop a wider understanding of how the Island would respond to an influenza pandemic.
This will include very specific detail on the arrangements, roles, responsibilities, procedures and decision making processes involved.
"It is also important to test the current state of preparedness of the States of Jersey and explore the multi agency response to an outbreak of pandemic flu, identifying any gaps in existing arrangements, and considering options for improvements, to inform future planning and preparedness."