07 January 2010
Jersey’s emergency services and many States departments will take part in a major emergency exercise on Wednesday 13 January 2010.
The exercise, which is to be known as Exercise Front, will be staged mainly at Jersey Airport, and will provide the opportunity for departments and organisations across the States of Jersey to test their own emergency response.
It is stressed that throughout the exercise, Jersey Airport will remain open, with flights operating as normal. Clear signage will be displayed at the airport so that travellers are aware of the exercise, and it will also be announced on incoming flights.
A detailed overview of the exercise is not being made public, to ensure the scenario is as realistic as possible for the emergency responders.
Members of the public have come forward to act as volunteers in various roles, and over 20 different departments and organisations will be taking part in the exercise.
The Island’s Emergency Planning Officer, Michael Long said: "This exercise has taken several months of planning and provides a valuable opportunity for the emergency services, States departments and volunteer organisations to train and exercise their response to a real incident.
"The chance of being caught up in a major emergency or disaster is unlikely but they do occur and this exercise will test that we are prepared to respond should an incident like this become a reality.
"During the planning of the exercise, we have been particularly careful to ensure that business will operate as normal, and our response to emergency calls will not be affected.
"I would like to thank everyone who has been involved with the planning of this exercise. It has been a detailed task and one which people have worked hard to achieve," added Mr Long.
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