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Monday 11 Mar 2013

Leeds Station emergency exercise

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Rail passengers in Leeds might need to do a double-take on Sunday 17 March as Network Rail teams and emergency services run a live emergency exercise.

The fictitious scenario is being run between 08.30 and 11.00 at Leeds Station to test the emergency planning of the organisations involved.

Leeds Station Manager, Helen Dawson, explained: “We always hope we never need to use our emergency procedures but it’s important that we plan for the worst whilst hoping for the best. Leeds is one of the busiest stations outside London with more than 100,000 people passing through on a normal day. Exercises like this one help to build relationships with the emergency services so that we can respond safely and effectively to an emergency if we need to.

”I’d like to thank passengers for their patience as we complete this important exercise.”

Organisations involved in the exercise include; Network Rail; Northern Rail; British Transport Police; West Yorkshire Police; West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue; Yorkshire Ambulance Service; and British Red Cross. The exercise is being observed by inspectors from the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). Each organisation has a plan to deal with an emergency at the station. Sunday’s exercise will help to make sure those plans work together and give the organisations opportunity to address any inconsistencies.

Sunday’s event will also allow the opportunity to show how far new equipment, changed procedures and staffing will help in the coordination and management of an emergency as the last live exercise on such a large scale at Leeds was in 2006.

Theatrical make-up will be used by the actors from Amputees in Action playing victims in the scenario. Posters warning passengers not to be concerned will be on display in the station. The exercise will not involve any disruption to train services and the station will be open to the public throughout.