Last week, a multi-agency tabletop exercise (TTX) organised by the Office of Civil Contingencies tested Gibraltar’s preparedness in the event of a Marauding Terrorist Attack (MTA).

The exercise was held at Bleak House and practised the Strategic, Tactical and Operational levels of command. The exercise was preceded by briefings from the Civil Contingencies Coordinator on major incident procedures and the latest Joint Operating Principles for the Emergency Services in the response to a Marauding Terrorist Attack.

The TTX was attended by commanders and senior representatives of the Emergency Services and other responding agencies including RGP, GFRS, AFRS, GHA Ambulance Service, HM Customs, BCA, Environmental Agency, Gibraltar International Airport, Directorate of Civil Aviation, Department of Personnel & Development, No. 6 Press Office, Headquarters British Forces Gibraltar, Gibraltar Defence Police, Royal Gibraltar Regiment (including Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and FCDO.

The MTA scenario practised the rapid deployment of responders to save life by neutralising the threat, delivering emergency medical care and removing casualties and survivors. In addition to the inward facing threat mitigation and life-saving activities, the exercise practised the move to Threat Level CRITICAL and the immediate adoption of maximum protective counter terrorism security measures to include increased land and maritime security patrols and the armed guarding of high priority sites across multiple locations in Gibraltar.

The Office of Civil Contingencies also facilitated training by Mr Carl Daniels on Medical Incident Command and Triage (MICAT), Joint Decision Loggists and Defensible Decision Making. Having spent 12 years as the UK’s Deputy Senior Responsible Officer and the lead for the UK Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP), Carl Daniels has led with the development of multi-agency interoperability doctrine. Mr Daniels has also been heavily involved with the implementation of recommendations following recent major incidents in the UK such as the 2017 Manchester Arena attack and London Bridge / Borough Market attack.

Since 2018, he has delivered a number of JESIP Commanders and JESIP Train the Trainer Courses to the emergency services and other responding agencies in Gibraltar. Over the last weeks, Mr Daniels has delivered the following courses in Gibraltar:

Medical Incident Command and Triage Course (MICAT)

Attended by: GHA Ambulance Service, St. John Ambulance and Airport Fire & Rescue Service.

The 3-day course covered all aspects of command and control, JESIP, Ten Second Triage, Major incident Triage Tool and concluded with a Tabletop Exercise.

This course prepares medical professionals who are required to respond to or support medical major incidents, including mass casualty events.

Decision Loggists Course

Attended by: RGP, GFRS, AFRS, GHA, HM Customs, BCA, DP&D, Department of Education.

Decision Loggists are used by decision makers to record critical decisions. A record of decisions made is an essential piece of evidence in future inquiries; learning and supporting the development of responses to emergencies and incidents. The day-long course taught loggists the skills and knowledge needed to fill this demanding and fast-paced role. The course provided loggists with an overview of the context and reason behind the loggist role as well as the legal framework. It also gave loggists a best practice model and opportunities to put that best practice into action.

Defensible Decision-Making Course

Attended by: Senior officers from RGP, GFRS, AFRS, GHA, HM Customs, BCA, GPA, Environmental Agency, DP&D, Department of Education and Civil Contingencies.

This Defensive Decision-Making Training course is aimed at enhancing individual and team’s competence through providing the necessary skills and tools to enable a logical, defensible and justifiable approach to decision making. Based on the Joint Decision Model, it allows for decisions to be proportionate, legitimate, authorised, necessary and ethical.

Of the recent courses, Carl Daniels said: “It is always a pleasure to work with HM Government of Gibraltar’s Civil Contingencies team to deliver high quality, objective-led training. Over the past two weeks the emergency and essential services have received training in defensible decision making, decision loggists and Medical Incident Command and Triage. Each of the courses reflect the latest best practice and put the services of Gibraltar in the best possible position to respond to incidents and emergencies.”

The Minister for Civil Contingencies Coordinator, Leslie Bruzon, said: “It is imperative that we continue to prepare for any eventuality on the Rock. Last week’s exercise demonstrated how complex and challenging an incident of this nature will be for all emergency services to deal with. I would like to thank the Office of Civil Contingencies for their continued efforts in planning and training which will improve the level of any multi-agency response that is required. Additionally, I would also like to thank Carl Daniels for ensuring the JESIP principles are at the forefront of this type of work in Gibraltar too.”