Anti-terror plans 'a shambles'

• Emergency services claim equipment and training inadequate

• Fewer than 1 in 6 firefighters have chemical, biological, and nuclear suits

• Control room cuts make co-ordinating response to an attack 'a nightmare'

Key quote

"There is a common consensus among firefighters in particular that the bulk of anti-terror preparations to date have been little more than desk-top exercises - and that we urgently need enhanced training programmes to deal with the prospect of biological or chemical attacks on Scotland" - John McDonald, executive council member of Fire Brigades Union Scotland

Story in full THE emergency services in Scotland are ill-prepared to cope with the aftermath of a major terrorist attack north of the border, The Scotsman has learned.

Less than one in six fire-fighters would have access to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) suits in the event of a terrorist "dirty bomb" attack, while response teams would be forced to rely on archaic communication equipment including radio systems which are incompatible across the emergency services.

Fire-fighters, police officers and ambulance personnel have all expressed serious concerns about the lack of suitable equipment and training to cope with a major terror incident.

They claim that the majority of anti-terror preparations to date have been just "desk-top exercises".

John McDonald, an executive council member of the Fire Brigades Union Scotland, said: "The true picture as to how adequately prepared we are for a terrorist attack will shock the public.

"As things stand, there is across the board radio incompatibility between the individual emergency services which basically means they are all currently unable to communicate with each other on the ground.

"Fire brigade radio systems don’t even work from top floor to ground when they respond to fires at the top of multi-storey buildings. This is made worse by the fact that only one in six firefighters have access to CBRN suits, and the existing breathing apparatus used as standard by the Fire Brigade is unsuitable for dealing with chemical attacks," he added.

Mr McDonald said one key concern was that fire brigade personnel have had little or no crowd control training, which he feared would make the job of containing the public in the event of a chemical attack on a major civilian target "practically impossible".

He also claimed there was a shortage of decontamination equipment, and that ad hoc emergency plans included constructing mass decontamination showers by putting a ladder across two fire engines and attaching hose reels to spray water on to casualties.

Unison, which represents ambulance staff, and the Scottish Police Federation also fear that not enough is being done to protect their members or the public. The union believes lives could be at risk because hospital staff are still not ready to deal with a chemical attack, claiming there are glaring gaps in relation to dealing with biological, radiological and nuclear incidents.

Jim Devine, Scottish organiser with Unison, said: "Staff have not been given enough training to deal with major incidents. We are in an ever-changing world where we are confronted by threats that were unimaginable 25 years ago.

"We need building blocks that can be applied - whether it is a terrorist attack, a chemical accident, or whatever, where everyone in the system is aware that this is a specialist area."

According to Tayside-based Fire Brigade controller Libby Logan, vast cutbacks in 999 control room staff in Scotland would make co-ordinating a response to a terrorist attack a logistical nightmare.

She said: "One of our biggest concerns is the downsizing of control rooms which will create major problems with regards to routine incidents, never mind a terrorist attack. With fewer controllers, it will become very difficult to co-ordinate an effective response."

John Eldridge, editor of Jane's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defence, said the fact that Scotland's emergency services are woefully under-prepared came as no surprise.

He added: "Most emergency services are relatively poorly equipped to deal with the kind of terrorism we are now looking at. I would imagine that the government thinks these decontamination showers are going to be used for civilians, but they are designed to deal principally with people who are already in protective suits."

Angus Robertson, for the SNP, claimed the evident lack of preparation exposed the Executive’s lax approach to tackling terrorism.

He added: "Sadly we live in times of global instability which necessitates the urgent need for effective planning. It is shocking that the emergency services are getting no support in the battle against terrorism.

"For all his rhetoric about public safety, Jack McConnell clearly does not get the message public safety is paramount."

How to cope with a terrorist attack in Scotland is laid down by the top-secret Operation Prism, a 44-point plan which details how the emergency services will react in the event of attacks on airports, railway stations, nuclear power stations, gas pipes and major roads.

Last night, all three emergency services maintained that specific issues of national security were not for public record, and referred inquiries to the Executive.

An Executive spokesman would not respond to the specific points, and would say only: "We speak to the police on a regular basis with regard to a number of matters. We are not in a position to comment on sensitive operations which impact on national security."

Scotland may not face the same level of threat as London, but as recent anti-terrorism arrests in both Edinburgh and Glasgow have shown, it is not immune from danger.

For terrorists, the attractions of mounting an attack outside London, where security is generally perceived to be poorer, are obvious. Scotland, in particular, has a range of potential attractions for terrorists, from the nuclear facilities at Dounreay, Torness and Hunterston and Grangemouth's oil refinery to military bases. Experts also suggest oil rigs, Balmoral Castle or even the new Scottish parliament building at Holyrood could be targets.