Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

New County Hall, Truro at 13/03/2007 09:00

Exercise ‘Piran’s Cross’ to test oil pollution response

The National Contingency Plan recently published by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, and Cornwall County Council’s revised plan for counter pollution, are being tested on 13 March at New County Hall, Truro.
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The aim is to test the co-ordination arrangements for dealing with a major pollution incident affecting the coastline of Cornwall, and validate the Cornwall County Council Coastal Counter Pollution Plan (CCC CCPP) through a full-scale management exercise. Before the exercise begins awareness session will take place to remind everyone about the co-ordination arrangements between a Shoreline Response Centre, Marine Response Centre, Environment Group and other structures in place during a pollution incident.

“The grounding of the Torrey Canyon on the 18 March 1967 revealed how serious oil pollution could affect Cornwall’s magnificent coastline. Since then contingency plans have been designed to help us deal with such an incident” said County Emergency Planning Officer Steve Winston


During the exercise a Shoreline Response Centre (SRC) will be established at New County Hall. The SRC is led by a management team chaired by our Counter Pollution Officer Steve Winston.

Joining Steve Winston is a liaison officer from the Environment Group, the MCA’s Chief Scientist, Chairs of the Technical, Procurement, Media and Admin teams, Senior Officers from District/Borough Councils and an Environment Agency representative. Many other organisations will be participating including Natural England, Health Protection Agency, RSPCA, DEFRA, Food Standards Agency, the fishing industry, and voluntary conservation groups, as well as the emergency services and tourism representatives. Over 90 personnel will be involved in the exercise.

County Councillor Ken Yeo (Lib Dem) Executive Member for Public Protection Portfolio added: “We know we are at risk from sea-borne pollution, so it is important to make sure that we do everything we can to protect our coast. I am very pleased to participate in this exercise incorporating the lessons learned since Torrey Canyon, protecting our environment, our economy, and our Cornish way of life that depends so heavily on our coastline. It is encouraging that all the agencies see the importance of carrying out these exercises to improve Public Protection in Cornwall.”

The exercise will take place at New County Hall, Truro on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, from 0900 – 1700. There will be opportunities for interviews with key participants during the day. As part of the exercise, a press conference will be arranged some time between 1230 and 1430.