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Monday 13 Jun 2005

LIVE TUNNEL EVACUATION EXERCISE HELD IN NEWMARKET

Region & Route:

| Southern

On Sunday 12 June 2005, the rail industry teamed up with the emergency services to carry out a live emergency exercise in Newmarket.  Dubbed ‘Exercise Racing Bacon’, the training scenario successfully tested the integrated emergency response plans of Network Rail, train operator ‘one’ and the Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.  The exercise was based on a real-life scenario where a ‘one’ Class 170 train (two car diesel multiple unit) had derailed on the single line through Warren Hill tunnel, just north of Newmarket station.  The participants successfully met their objective of evacuating all the train passengers within a tight deadline of two hours, during a planned railway possession. Helen Kerrigan, Network Rail’s Emergency Planning Specialist for the South East, said: “The exercise was very successful and demonstrated the strength of the working relationships between Network Rail, ‘one’ and the emergency services, which would be crucial in a real emergency.  We also had support from volunteer agencies such as RAYNET and the WRVS, who contributed to the overall success of the day.“ The exercise provided the emergency services with a rare opportunity to practise their evacuation skills and was an important test of communication with Network Rail and ‘one’ emergency response staff.  The tunnel scenario was designed to present a real challenge to the exercise participants, who had to work within a dark and confined space and tackle both communication and operational difficulties. John Wilcock, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Divisional Officer, added: "The fire and rescue service worked in close co-operation with other organisations, such as Network Rail, which may not be regarded as emergency services in normal circumstances.  It is important that we are all aware of our own specific responsibilities as well as the co-operation necessary with other organisations at a major incident." Over 100 people took part in the emergency exercise, with representatives from Network Rail, ‘one’, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service and Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service.  Specialised communications support was provided by the volunteer service RAYNET (Radio Amateurs' Emergency Network), SECRO (South East Cave Rescue Organisation) and CREG (Cave Rescue Electronics Group), who assisted on the day and also on the eve of the exercise, helping to install a fixed telephone line into the tunnel and testing signals. First aid and paramedic support was provided by the British Red Cross and the WRVS (Women’s Royal Voluntary Service) provided much needed refreshments.  A representative from the HMRI (Her Majesty’s Rail Inspectorate) also attended in an advisory capacity. Two ‘one’ services between Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge were suspended during the exercise and replacement bus services were provided.  Local residents in the vicinity of Warren Hill tunnel were sent details of the exercise to prevent any concerns during the day.