ABSTRACT
The success or failure of any on/off-site emergency plan is wholly dependent upon effective communications between the public emergency services, the local government services in the area, and the industrial/commercial input concerned. Considerable importance must be placed on all branches of the plan, i.e. uniformed emergency services, non-uniformed local government services and, of course, the industrial complex concerned. The best way to ensure that close consultation and coordination take place is by exercising. There is no better way to test the availability of personnel than to undertake the physical exercise. This means moving manpower and equipment to the scene and simulating an actual incident. However, this can be an extremely costly and time-consuming situation. The whole question of the need to exercise, whether it be in respect of an on-site or off-site plan, requires a great deal of thought, discussion and consideration. Emergency plans of any description are worse than useless if they are prepared and then left on a shelf gathering dust. The only way to test a plan is by exercising that plan to ensure that all persons concerned are aware of their duties and responsibilities. However, this has industrial and commercial financial implications. Should we exercise or not?
