On Tuesday 17th June, members of the Lincolnshire Community Assistance Team (L-CAT) were proud to attend a vital emergency planning exercise in Horncastle, working alongside a range of emergency services and resilience partners to help test and strengthen local response plans.
The simulated scenario – a gas leak resulting in an explosion and a community evacuation – was designed to challenge and assess the emergency response capabilities of all agencies involved. While the situation was fictional, the coordination, communication, and commitment required from responders was very real.
The day saw participation from:
- Lincolnshire Resilience Forum
- British Red Cross
- Lincolnshire Police
- Horncastle Town Council
- Horncastle, Spilsby & Woodhall Spa Police
- East Lindsey District Council
- Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue
- Lincolnshire Community Assistance Team (L-CAT)
These exercises are a cornerstone of emergency preparedness. They allow agencies to test their plans, build working relationships, and improve collaboration in the event of a real emergency. For L-CAT, it was another opportunity to contribute to community resilience and support our partners in creating a safer Lincolnshire.
A statement from the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum highlighted the spirit of collaboration:
“We had the privilege of facilitating a crucial emergency planning event in Horncastle yesterday. It was an incredibly productive event that focused on enhancing our collective preparedness for any future emergencies. We extend our sincerest thanks to all who participated, demonstrating the powerful community spirit and dedication.
A huge shout-out to our incredible ‘Ready for Anything’ volunteers, whose commitment and willingness to lend a hand are invaluable in times of crisis. We also want to express our deep gratitude to partners from Horncastle Community Emergency Planning Team, Lincolnshire County Council’s Emergency Planning Team, Police, Fire and Rescue, L-CAT (Lincolnshire Community Assistance Team), the British Red Cross, and all the other organisations who brought their expertise and collaborative spirit. Events like these are vital for testing plans, refining our responses, and ultimately, building a more resilient Lincolnshire. Together, we are truly ready for anything!”
Damon Brumpton, Chair of Trustees for L-CAT, added:
“Being involved in exercises like this is essential to the role our team plays in Lincolnshire. It not only builds our responders’ confidence but ensures we’re fully aligned with the wider emergency response system. It was fantastic to see so many agencies working together in such a seamless and committed way. These events remind us just how strong our community spirit is – and that we really are ready for anything.”
A big thank you to all our responders who gave up their time to attend, and to all the agencies who continue to work together to make Lincolnshire a safer place.
