HC Deb 09 July 2001 vol 371 cc325-6W
Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what methods are used by fire brigades to train those involved in decision making on arrival at an incident. [2314]

Dr. Whitehead

Training for incident command is undertaken at local, regional and national centres using live situations, simulations and virtual reality systems.

Guidance has also been issued to the Fire Service on Incident Command. In 1999 Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate produced "The Fire Service Manual on Incident Command" to ensure national consistency in the command systems used by all the UK Fire Brigades.

Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what advice his Department has given to fire brigades about using virtual reality in training. [2313]

Dr. Whitehead

Although the Home Office did not issue formal guidance to the Fire Service on virtual reality training systems the importance of a national incident command system for the Fire Service is recognised. Fire Brigades were encouraged by the Home Office and will be encouraged by this Department to improve emergency incident management techniques by undertaking virtual reality training.