Staff at the Department of Home Affairs will again be at the forefront of efforts to deliver a safe and successful TT.
An enhanced police presence will be in place for this year’s festival, as part of the Island’s response to the terror attack in Manchester on Monday night.
The practice and race period, which runs from 27 May to 9 June, represents the busiest time of year for frontline agencies such as the Isle of Man Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Service and the Emergency Services Joint Control Room. Every police officer and firefighter is likely to be called upon at some stage during the TT to meet a wide range of challenges posed by the influx of visitors and the huge increase in traffic.
Security will be heightened in the wake of the Manchester Arena suicide bombing, with the Isle of Man police deploying additional mobile patrols. Officers will be trialling body-worn video cameras during the festival and maintaining a strong digital media presence alongside high-visibility patrols and face-to-face communication with the public.
There will also be a strong focus on road safety, with the police using unmarked vehicles to support this year’s campaign messages ‘Don’TT Cross The Line – Avoid That Fine’ and ‘It’s A Road – Not a Race Track.’
@TweetbeatIOM will keep thousands of Twitter followers up to date with important information, including road closures and traffic diversions. The Constabulary’s Facebook page and website will also provide useful safety advice, as well as crime prevention tips.
Firefighters will be on duty at the TT Grandstand pit lane during racing, while Kirk Michael fire station is crewed during race periods to provide fire cover for the village and the north of the Island. Officers from the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service also provide initial medical assistance in emergencies.
Frontline services will be supported by volunteers from the Special Constabulary and Isle of Man Civil Defence Unit who provide additional resilience during the TT festival and other high-profile community events.
Home Affairs Minister Bill Malarkey MHK said: ‘The increase in people and traffic during TT makes it the most challenging time of year for the Department, but the professionalism and commitment of our staff always shines through. Additional police patrols will be in place this year following the terrible events in Manchester. As always, we will try to strike the right balance in our approach to policing the festival. The security of local people and visitors is paramount. We want people to have fun, but also to behave responsibly and stay safe.’
The Department’s Communications Division makes an important contribution to the management of the TT, as the TETRA (Terrestrial Trunked Radio) system and Emergency Services Joint Control Room deal with the upsurge in demand.
The Minister said: ‘The Isle of Man’s integrated communications system really comes into its own during the TT. All Police, Fire and Ambulance 999 calls are handled under one roof, which helps to reduce response times and ultimately save lives during incidents such as road traffic collisions. Our recently upgraded TETRA system is used by all the emergency services, marshals and race controllers. The TT simply wouldn’t run as effectively without it.’
Photo - Isle of Man emergency Services Joint Control Room.
