The largest counter-terrorism training exercise ever conducted in the United Kingdom took place in London on Sunday, with over 1,000 participants assembling in Canary Wharf. Organized by Counter Terrorism Policing London, the exercise aimed to test the response capabilities of emergency services to terrorist attacks, incorporating lessons learned from the Manchester Arena bombing.
Exercise Firebird
Codenamed Firebird, the event involved dozens of actors who created a realistic scenario simulating a marauding terrorist attack. A section of the Canary Wharf estate was closed to the public until midday to facilitate the exercise. Participants included police officers, firefighters, paramedics, counter-terrorism investigation teams, and Canary Wharf security staff.
Lessons from Real-Life Events
The design of the exercise was informed by experiences from real-life incidents and previous training drills. Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Kris Wright, who directed the exercise, highlighted the importance of the 10-second triage method—a technique developed after the Manchester Arena attack. This method helps emergency services quickly assess, categorize, and care for victims with varying injuries during catastrophic events.
Organizers also collaborated with local make-up colleges to create realistic-looking injuries for responders to treat at the scene.
World-Leading Response
Chief Superintendent Wright emphasized that the exercise was not in response to any specific threat but was part of ongoing efforts to maintain preparedness. He stated, "The response that Londoners see from their emergency services and partners to the most catastrophic events is, in my opinion, world-leading. But we shouldn't be complacent. We should continue to stretch ourselves and test ourselves, and that's what we do here today."
He added that the terrorism threat level across the UK is currently 'severe,' urging the public to remain vigilant but reassuring Londoners that emergency services are ready to respond effectively.
Government Support
Security Minister Dan Jarvis praised the exercise, saying, "Our emergency services work around the clock to keep us safe. Exercises like this ensure that should they be called upon, they are able to respond quickly, effectively and with confidence." He noted that the government has provided record levels of funding to intelligence agencies and counter-terrorism police to protect against threats.
Jarvis also encouraged the public to report any suspicious activity, stating, "If you see something that doesn't feel right, report it to the police—you will never be wasting their time."
