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Exercise blackout Multi-agency, multi-casualty exercise North
Weald Airfield 21 January 2014
Multi-vehicle collisions, or pile-ups can be deadly and can close important routes for
several hours and sometimes days. With the M11, M25 and other major routes running through
the heart of Essex, serious multi-vehicle accidents are a real and ever present danger.
It is vital that our emergency services are able to practice for such accidents. Today,
North Weald Airfield hosted Exercise Blackout, a multi-agency, multi-casualty exercise involving
2 lorries, a coach, 4 cars, a motorbike and a light twin aircraft
The exercise was Organised by the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance, which included teams
from Essex Fire and Rescue, Ambulance Services, St Johns Ambulance, the Highways Agency, BJG
Heavy Rescue and Essex Police.
Medical students from London and Romford were used to provide live 'screaming' casualties
to add realism to the exercise.
None of the emergency services knew what to expect. Fire crews and medics treated trapped
casualties at the scene with help from the crash rescue teams who had to deal with the
wrecked vehicles.
Once the casualties were extracted heavy lifting gear was used to clear the scene.
I'm Sam Read Duty Officer at North Weald Airfield, one of two full time fire officers. I was
lucky to be first one scene in the lead airport fire engine. With my crew we put out the fires,
stabilised the aircraft and rescued the two wounded casualties from inside.
We carry out regular hot fire training and rescue tactics on site. Today enabled all
the services to come together in one exercise to test the communication skills and patient
flow, from triage at the scene to being received at hospital.
On behalf of North Weald Airfield and Epping Forest District Council I would like to thank
all the emergency services, medical students, volunteers and North Weald Flying services
for all their work.
Contribution from all these agencies made Exercise Blackout seem realistic and a great
success.