§ Patrick MercerTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what part virtual reality equipment plays in enabling Sir David Omand to provide central co-ordination for contingency planning and the resilience capability programme. [158979]
§ Mr. AlexanderComputer-based scenario work is used extensively in developing the UK's civil contingency doctrine and planning, including the resilience capability programme.
In addition, the Emergency Planning College at Easingwold is studying the feasibility of adapting military synthetic environment technologies for the training of joint, multi-agency emergency management teams fundamental to the UK's resilience under a collaborative arrangement with the Defence Procurement Agency's Training and Simulation Integrated Project Team.
§ Patrick MercerTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what arrangements are in place for those involved in contingency planning to receive appropriate professional and career development. [158980]
§ Mr. AlexanderThe Emergency Planning College at Easingwold is the primary provider of training and professional development for emergency planning staff employed in the public sector, including local government and the emergency and health services. The latter groups account for some 80 per cent. of the college's annual training throughput of 6,500. The college currently delivers a range of generic courses reflecting the diverse requirements of its customers.
1262WMajor changes in the training regime have been under development since last summer. These will take effect in September 2004, when the college will introduce a new programme based on a spine of core courses and a range of optional modules tailored to meet specific needs. This architecture reflects best practice and will provide the foundation for subsequent professional and academic accreditation of the college's courses across the span from NVQ to postgraduate.