Exercise Fortitude - preparing for the worst

To improve our response to a counter-terrorism incident, we took part in a training event called Exercise Fortitude in October.

Organised by the Staffordshire Resilience Forum, the counter terrorism scenario was split into two phases. The first phase was a practical operational day which took place at Port Vale FC. The second phase involved the strategic and tactical coordination groups and was hosted at our police headquarters.

The exercise simulated the immediate aftermath of a terrorist incident and was designed to test elements of emergency response plans, alongside partner agencies like local authorities and voluntary organisations.

It involved months of planning and participation from a number of agencies.

The exercise was complex and challenging. It aimed to meet a series of objectives which were set by Staffordshire Resilience Forum as well as those set by the agencies taking part.

It was a great day with lots of learning, all of which has been captured so we can build on areas which need to be refined. A structured debrief is also planned for the end of this month.

For the latest advice around responding to and preventing acts of counter terrorism, take a look at the Counter Terrorism Policing website - https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/.