Exercise Anvil Tests Emergency Preparedness in Griffin Park

Emergency services gathered at Griffin Park for Exercise Anvil, a large-scale training exercise designed to test their response to a major incident scenario. The exercise, organized by the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC), simulated a complex emergency involving a drink-driver colliding with a parked bus, resulting in multiple casualties.

The event aimed to evaluate casualty management, policing skills, and multi-agency decision-making. CNC officers collaborated with police, fire, and ambulance partners to respond to the simulated incident, which tested their ability to manage a serious road traffic collision from initial attendance through to investigation and resolution.

Sergeant Dave Marsden and the Professional Development Unit led the exercise, which included participation from the Cumbria Constabulary’s Nuclear Estates Team, Sellafield Ltd’s Fire & Rescue Service, and the North West Ambulance Service. Participants practiced the Joint Emergency Services Interoperability Principles (JESIP) to ensure effective collaboration.

Realistic Scenario and Training

The scenario required officers to declare and manage a major incident, establish command arrangements, and use M/ETHANE messaging to share critical information among emergency services. The Ten Second Triage approach was employed to rapidly assess casualties, while officers also managed victims and witnesses, carried out investigative actions, arrested the suspect, and preserved the scene.

CNC role players created a realistic training environment, challenging participants to manage multiple casualties and adapt to changing conditions while maintaining communication and operational coordination. The exercise tested the emergency services' ability to develop a shared understanding and coordinate decision-making as the scenario unfolded.

Future Learning and Development

Footage from Exercise Anvil will be available to training departments to support future learning and demonstrate CNC’s capability to respond to wider policing incidents around the sites it protects. Sergeant Marsden emphasized the importance of such exercises, stating, "Exercise Anvil gave us a valuable opportunity to train alongside police, fire and ambulance colleagues in a realistic and challenging scenario."

He added that effective response to complex incidents relies on the ability of emergency services to communicate, share information, and work together under pressure. Training alongside partner agencies strengthens working relationships and allows officers to put their skills into practice.

The exercise highlighted the importance of multi-agency collaboration and provided valuable experience for all participants involved, enhancing their preparedness for real-life emergencies.