After months of planning, last Friday we hosted a multi-agency chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) live exercise - the first of its kind in the region. It was called Exercise Chemicus and included responders from the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and West Yorkshire Police.

The exercise was designed to help colleagues learn how to respond in incidents which are CRBN in nature. On the day, a scenario was designed where casualties presented to our A&E at HRI and needed the response of our specialist decontamination unit.

Pretend casualties (played by CHFT colleagues) had make-up applied to look like skin burns. West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service deployed their detection, identification and monitoring (DIM) unit to help identify the substance and give our teams advice on how it should be managed. Colleagues donned their protective PRPS suits and helped the casualties through the decontamination showers. There were also decontamination showers running from the fire engines, which the casualties were also put through.

General Manager for Resilience, Acute Flow and Transformation, Sarah Rothery, had the initial idea to run the event and said: "It was an idea that grew into something really big and I did wonder if we could carry it off. However, on the day it was fantastic! We had so much learning identified from the exercise, which will help to make us more resilient in our CBRN response plans.

"I would like to say a massive thank you to all our colleagues who played a part, either in the planning, facilitation on the day, playing a casualty or as part of the decontamination team. CHS also supported with the planning and facilitation on the day which was really appreciated. You were all fantastic and excellent sports!”

Chief Nurse, Lindsay Rudge, and Director of Operations for FSS, Stephen Shepley, also attended. Stephen said: "The exercise was great and really helpful. It was clear how much thought and planning had gone into the event, and I learned loads - as I'm sure everyone else did.”

A multi-agency post-exercise report will be written and presented to our Board in the coming months.