The Department of Home Affairs is today (Thursday 24th March 2016) hosting a conference on the management of major incidents as part of its commitment to community safety in the Isle of Man.

More than 120 people are attending the event, including members of the emergency services and public sector, health professionals and volunteer responders.

UK experts will provide an insight into the management of large-scale emergencies to ensure that Isle of Man agencies and personnel are aware of current best practice.

Speakers include:

• Mark Scoggins, a lawyer who has been involved in legal cases following high-profile disasters such as the Dunblane shootings, Buncefield fuel depot explosion and Heathrow Express tunnel collapse

• Steve Gregory, Director of Major Incident Management Ltd and a former Metropolitan Police Officer and safety officer at the 2012 London Olympics

• Dr Gareth Davies, a consultant in emergency medicine and pre-hospital care at the Royal London Hospital and Medical Director of London’s Air Ambulance

• Stephen Thomas, Head of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Capabilities Team, UK Decontamination Service

The conference has been organised by Ian Young, the Isle of Man’s Emergency Planning Coordinator, and will highlight a range of issues including the implications of cyber-crime and the emergency response to severe weather.

Chief Constable Gary Roberts will provide the opening address and the event will also feature input from Adrian Cowin, senior Met Officer, Mark Lewin, Director of Government Technology Services, and Mark Kelly, Chief Executive of the Department of Home Affairs.

Home Affairs Minister Juan Watterson MHK said: ‘The Department is fortunate to have secured the services of such a distinguished line-up of speakers. Mark Scoggins, Steve Gregory, Dr Gareth Davies and Stephen Thomas are experts in their fields and I’m sure those attending the conference will gain a lot from listening to their experience and advice.’

He added: ‘The Isle of Man’s geographical position makes it particularly important for people here to be equipped to manage the response to a major incident. Hopefully that knowledge will never have to be put into practice, but it is important to be well prepared.’