In an age of TUNA risks and the daily news seems like the start of an Exercise, the art and science of training, exercising and evaluating resilience have never been more crucial. Drawing on lessons from iconic events such as the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Notting Hill Carnival, and The Boat Race and Rob’s prior Control Room and Incident experience going back 20 years to 2005 this post is based on our session with Buckinghamshire New University Emergency Management Diploma further education students this week. The focus was on the topic of learnings and innovation in Exercising and explores how organisations and emergency services can move beyond the basics and truly innovate in their approach to preparedness.
The Need for Innovation in Training
Major events don’t just test our limits—they reveal them. Whether supporting Covid-19 responses, dealing with frequent fires, or managing the aftermath of the 7th July bombings, teams across the UK have faced multifaceted challenges. These experiences highlight the importance of not relying on “one-off” exercises, but instead developing readiness as an ongoing programme that builds momentum and adaptability over time.
Challenges in Multi-Agency Exercising
Anyone who’s been involved in cross-organisation exercises knows it’s not all plain sailing. Barriers such as “not invented here” attitudes, siloed expertise, and reluctance to collaborate can undermine even the best-laid plans. Add to this the perennial issues of scarce resources and tight budgets, and it’s clear that successful exercising demands more than just a tick-box approach. Overcoming complacency and optimism bias is key to ensuring teams are truly prepared for whatever comes their way.
Best Practice: From Shared Values to Live Play
So, how do leading teams cut through these challenges? First and foremost, they establish shared objectives and values, fostering a unified strategy across departments and agencies. By engaging stakeholders one-to-one, teams can clarify their goals, pinpoint risks, and determine desired outcomes. Crucially, sequence planning helps avoid unpleasant surprises, ensuring a gradual build-up of knowledge and capability rather than sudden exposure to new risks or concepts.
Delivery in Action: Real Stories, Real Impact
Successful exercises blend tight objectives with flexible, scenario-driven play. Teams strike a balance between controlled, scripted events and unpredictable ‘live’ play that mirrors real-world complexity. This approach is particularly vital when managing concurrent risks—think fuel disruption during a city-wide celebration, or sudden gas leaks at major sporting events. Technology also plays a pivotal role, enabling real-time responses and tailored content for diverse roles and locations.
Case Studies: Excellence in Practice
• London Resilience Team: Managed multi-agency communications and fuel crises through robust planning and interoperability.
• Olympic Resilience: Orchestrated venue and zonal command posts, ensuring seamless coordination during the Games.
• Boat Race, SailGP Seasons 1-5, 35th, 37th and 38th America’s Cup & Major UK Ceremonial Events: Delivered rapid responses to short notice events, leveraging joint delivery teams and live scenario testing.
Each of these examples underscores the power of collaboration, meticulous planning, and continual learning.
The Future of Exercising: Embracing Technology and AI
As artificial intelligence and digital platforms become increasingly integrated, teams must remain vigilant—particularly regarding the potential for confidential information to be stored and shared on platforms without knowledge of the data residency and ownership. The reliability of social media and open-source information is also a significant source of risk. Used wisely, these tools can enhance exercise planning and design but caution is advised to avoid inaccurate information and misinterpretation.
Conclusion: Building Resilience for the Next Challenge
The journey towards resilient organisations is ongoing. By learning from major events, embracing collaboration, and harnessing new technologies, teams can develop robust, flexible strategies that stand the test of time. Whether planning for a royal coronation or responding to an unexpected crisis, readiness is not a destination, but a continuous commitment to improvement.
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