- The UK’s most technologically advanced emergency service training site has officially been launched by Home Office Minister, the Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP.
- The National Resilience Centre of Excellence forms part of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service’s (MFRS) new Training and Development Academy in Aintree, Liverpool.
- The Centre will be used to coordinate the national response from fire and rescue services to large scale events whilst equipping firefighters with the training and skills needed to respond to these type of incidents whenever and wherever they occur.
In an event to mark the opening of the new centre, guests – which included the Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP, Minister of State for the Home Office, Government partners, Chief Fire Officers and fire service leaders from across the UK – were shown simulated scenarios such as catastrophic building collapse, a marauding terrorist attack, mass decontamination and a significant fire in a multi-storey building.
Facilities at the site include immersive, realistic training zones such as a six-storey high-rise building, a row of terraced houses, a motorway setting, specialist vehicle garages, a High-Volume Pump (HVP) training area, rubble pile for search and rescue training and a suite of practical training classrooms. A purpose-built command and control suite will enable scope to train for a range of incidents, simulating small-scale incidents through to major incidents involving multiple agencies.
Chief Fire Officer for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Phil Garrigan, said:
“The establishment of the national resilience centre of excellence here in Merseyside acknowledges the contribution the Service makes every day in the field of national resilience and marks a significant milestone in our ambition to further enhance the fire and rescue services response to national emergencies – ensuring the safety and security of communities across the country.
“I am genuinely thrilled that the Merseyside Fire Authority and Home Office, alongside the National Fire Chiefs Council, had the foresight to see what was possible and took the courageous decision to support this vision, creating a lasting legacy which recognises the vital role of the fire and rescue services plays in a wide range of devastating and disruptive incidents”.
National Fire Chief Council Chair, Mark Hardingham, said:
“The launch of the National Resilience Centre of Excellence marks a significant advancement in our capacity to train and prepare firefighters for the most challenging and catastrophic events which are the effect of climate change, flooding, wildfires, and conflict – whether through terror or the increasing risk of war.
“This unique facility – delivered in Merseyside in collaboration with every fire and rescue service in the UK – will ensure our firefighters are exceptionally well-prepared to protect the public and further strengthen our National Resilience framework.”
Minister of State, The Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP, said:
“Congratulations to the National Resilience team and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, who have brought this bold vision to life through their ongoing dedication and commitment to public safety.
“This facility will go a long way in making our communities safer, and ensure our brave firefighters are trained to the highest standards to continue their heroic efforts saving lives.
“Today marks the beginning of meaningful improvements to fire services across the country, and I am looking forward to building strong relationships with the sector to drive change and consistency within all communities.”