Thank God it's not real
The St John Rescue Corps, Armed Forces of Malta, St John Ambulance Brigade and the Sea Cadet Corps yesterday held a joint rescue training exercise at the former White Rocks Holiday Complex in Pembroke.
A vehicle delivering goods to a hotel supposedly left an explosive device which shortly after triggered off an explosion in the reception area and restaurant, with devastating effects on both structure and people inside. The combined forces rushed to rescue those inside, evacuate the building and control the blaze and structural damage.
A spokesman for the AFM said the fact that participants simulated a terrorist attack should benefit local agencies which would definitely be involved in a principal role should this really happen. The exercise also featured the participation of the Urban Search and Rescue Team from the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, which used its latest state-of-the-art search and rescue equipment.
Members from the AFM's third regiment, sappers from the Engineer Squadron and artificers/ammunition technicians from the Explosives' Ordinance Disposal section were also present.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Petrol price up 6c
'No need for early election if PM's...
In Discussion
10 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Anthony Buhagiar
Oct 20th 2008, 14:13
The St. John Rescue Corps (who orgranised the exercise) together with 7 SRT's from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service - UK, AFM, CPD, Red Cross, St. John Ambulace and A&E Department at Mater Dei took part in the exercise.
St. John Rescue Corps webite: http://www.stjohnrescuecorps.org/
G. Abela
Oct 19th 2008, 09:06
I would like to mention the fact that the Primary Health Department was also involved in this exercise - if I recall correctly there were 2 doctors, 4 nurses and 3 nursing aids. The initial Medical Incident Commander was in fact a Primary Health Nurse.
Clifford Davies
Oct 17th 2008, 23:52
It has become a very dangerous world we live in and malta is no exception. I say well done to these guys who took part in this excercise, Malta being a small country with a very high densely populated country in europe, must be very freightening if this was for real.. things ain't what they used to be because one just doesn't know who the real enemy is? These Maltese Guys are doing a fine job - well done lads and not forgetting the Ladies ofcourse.
d. briffa
Oct 17th 2008, 22:19
May I point out that there were at least 20 nurses and 5 doctors from the accident and emergency department (Mater dei hospital) who also took part in this exercise. Please note that all the above mentioned came on their only day - off to take part in this simulation.
debono l
Oct 17th 2008, 22:07
from other sources i have managed to get to know that infact the A&E dept from MDH was not officially involved but the medical and nursing staff who responded onsite were all doing this in their free time and on voluntary basis. could it be that that's why these nurses, doctors and the A&E dept were not mentioned in the article, because they responded as volunteers?
Sergio Zammit
Oct 17th 2008, 15:35
Please note that this article is not complete. Taking part in this drill there were many other entities (governmental and NGO's), including the Malta Red Cross - First Malta Branch.
Charmaine Chetcuti
Oct 17th 2008, 14:04
@ I. Debono
The A&E department at Mater Dei were involved too in this operation. I do not know why it is not mentioned in the article.
M. Tabone
Oct 17th 2008, 10:30
Shame that the White Rocks Holiday Complex was left to be vandalised in this way. Why close it when this complex was serving a good location to host hundreds of foreign students? Many local organisations also used to organise outings for seniors and disabled people from all around Malta. I sincerely I do not understand the logic of just close it and left to be vandalised, not to also mention the illegal hunting and bird trapping that have flourished and the illegal dumping of all sorts on its ground. During all these years nearby vegetation also suffered from illegal dumping on the garigue and the burning of Pines all within its perimeter!......................is this good planning if may I ask?
l.debono
Oct 17th 2008, 10:08
after reading this article, i have noticed that the only govermental emergency service involved in this exercise was the Armed Forces of Malta ( AFM ). i wonder why other essential govermental emergency services were not involved or not mentioned in this article !
from the picture attached to the article, one can notice that there were casualties involved, so if i may ask - was the the accident and emergency department informed about this simulation? other than that, was the A&E dept at Mater Dei involved ? were other emergency services like the Civil Protection Dept and the Police informed and involved ?
from all the papers i have read, it is clear that the only group of special people informed and involved in this simulated terrorims attack were the media people. !
l Galea
Oct 17th 2008, 10:00
Good job.
The photo is clear evidence of the state of the environment !