§ Mr. SayeedTo 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. WhiteheadTraining for incident command is undertaken at local, regional and national centres using live situations, simulations and virtual reality systems.
326WGuidance 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. SayeedTo 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. WhiteheadAlthough 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.