The recent militant attack at the DusitD2 hotel complex in Kenya is a stark reminder about the terrorist firearms threat at crowded places.

This year we celebrate 25 years of the Emergency Planning Society and in doing so we are reflecting on the many incidents and emergencies that have taken place during that time, both within the UK and globally.

Assistant Chief Officer Rob Davis, of the Avon Fire & Rescue Service, outlines the strides they have taken with local communities, and the many advantages it is bringing:

The first joint Branch and Professional Working Group seminar was held at Leicestershire Police HQ on 12 July. Thirty five members and paying guests spent an informative day learning about the threat, defence measures, training and exercising plus a case study. Due to the raised profile of CBRN in UK it is hoped that the CBRN PWG will work with other branches to develop learning. Andy McCombe, Chair of the East Midlands Branch, said that it was great to see so many members from other branches making the trip to improve their knowledge and network with other members and guests.

Around 120 emergency planning practitioners attended the EPS’s annual AGM and Networking Study Day on 10-11 September, for what all participants agreed was a great event with top speakers, all...