Manx Care led a major incident exercise named ‘Exercise Athena’, which was one of the largest major incident exercises conducted on the island in recent years.
With nearly 200 participants, services from Manx Care, Isle of Man Government Departments and external agencies (both on- and off-Island) worked collaboratively to respond to a scenario that tested the Island’s HAZMAT (Hazardous Materials) and CBRNe (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives) response capabilities, along with our ability to manage mass casualty and fatality events.
The exercise utilised a casualty simulation system and incorporated elements of live play and table top discussions.
Commanders had the opportunity to provide ‘press interviews’, manage high-stress situations involving actors, and reach out to external agencies both on and off the Island for scientific advice and guidance.
Each area established their command and control structures, adhered to JESIP (Joint Emergency Service Interoperability Principles), and activated local plans and action cards. Communication occurred via phone, Teams, radios, ‘runners’, and in-person briefings.
Exercise Athena
Natasha McKenzie, Emergency Planning Manager for Manx Care, who led the exercise, commented:
“Leveraging lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and incidents both on and off the Island, Manx Care has redeveloped its incident response plans to enhance efficiency and co-ordination across all levels of command.
“Exercise Athena enabled rigorous testing of these plans in realistic, high-intensity scenarios to validate their effectiveness.”
Following the exercise, participants were given the unique opportunity to engage with Major General Tim Hodgetts CB CBE KHS OStJ DL, the current Surgeon General of the United Kingdom Armed Forces and the elected Chair of the Committee of Chiefs of Military Medical Services in NATO.
General Tim offered invaluable insights into sustaining leadership in crisis situations and shared expert guidance on managing mass casualty events.
Feedback on the exercise both internally and externally to Manx Care was overwhelmingly positive.
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