The big challenge for emergency services teams was trying to ensure victims were reached without compromising their own safety and in the end the task was too difficult. In the aftermath, West Midlands chief inspector Surjeet Manku, said there was a need to assess: “Why decontamination took so long, whether decisions were rationally made and whether there were any communication difficulties.”

Meanwhile detective chief constable Chris Sims, who oversaw Horizon said: “We have got to minimise the time it takes to get this full canopy of resources deployed, and I am sure we will be talking about that…There is a real balance to be struck. It is not just protecting ourselves, it’s about serving casualties.”

In order to simulate reality, emergency services crews had no idea exactly when the attack would come and that made marshalling forces more difficult. It was a full 15 minutes before police threw a protective cordon around the NEC.

“Victims” were also instructed to increase the reality levels of the incident by becoming angry at delays in treatment and trying to break through police Cordons. As the hours went by their “anger” became more genuine and a number had to be “arrested”.

The failure underscores the findings of last year’s mock attack on a London subway station – separate terrorism emergency response units are needed that are always standing by. Both the Bank Underground Station operation and Operation Horizon clearly show that such a joint team needs to be multi-tasking – it must be able to provide policing, fire control and medical assistance all at the same time, circumventing the need for different emergency services departments to try and co-ordinate their operations.

The difficulties of Operation Horizon mirror those experienced by the organisers of Topoff2 held in May, when 8000 emergency workers in the U.S. tried to respond to the biggest “terror attack” so far. The operation involved a simultaneous dirty bomb attack in Seattle and a bioterror stike in Chicago. The subsequent FEMA report was unflattering to say the least.

“Throughout the first two days of the exercise, disagreement (and confusion) resulted between local, state and federal agencies over whether DHS had implemented ‘Orange’ or ‘Red,’ and whether the level was applicable nationally or locally,” the report said.

“What makes the criticism of the exercise particularly worrying for emergency-response experts is that it was one of the most heavily scripted drills ever staged.”

And James Lee Witt, the former head of FEMA, expressed his concern after Topoff2. “It’s my experience that any time you add more layers of bureaucrats into emergency plans, it’s a hindrance,” he said.

It’s likely Australia is even less prepared to handle a serious terrorist attack than its Coalition allies. A recent gas leak at Sydney’s busy Wynyard Station during rush hour brought the city to a complete standstill. Happily it took just 20 minutes to evacuate the entire City Circle rail line but stations were closed for 5 hours and most the city’s metropolitan transport services were thrown into complete chaos.

Not limited to metal, MMW-based systems can detect the possession of ceramic weapons, plastic explosives, drugs, and other contraband. L-3 Security & Detection Systems has embarked on an aggressive program to develop and commercialize an advanced MMW imaging portal for use indoors for airport security screening. It is based on proven missile seeker automatic target recognition technology used by the U.S. military over the last 20 years. The L-3 MMW passenger screening portal is expected to enter into trial testing at a major international airport near the end of 2004.

In addition, the company is continuing to deploy its recently released Multi-View Tomography (MVT) X-ray technology for screening checked baggage. L-3’s MVT is the next generation of Automated Technology (AT), the current standard for explosives detection at airports throughout Europe and Asia Pacific.

The MVT is in use at key international airports, including London Heathrow and Singapore Changi International Airport, and has met the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) requirements for explosives detection.

L-3 is currently working toward the testing of an in-line configuration with the TSA where an MVT and eXaminer are paired, allowing airports to achieve greater baggage throughput with TSA certified detection and alarm resolution, at a lower cost than an all-eXaminer configuration. In this “system of systems”, all bags would first be screened by the MVT and all alarmed bags from the MVT would then be screened by an eXaminer. This dual technology solution is expected to meet all TSA certification criteria for explosives detection and false alarm rate. There are now over 500 eXaminers installed at major U.S. airports and at a growing number of international sites, including Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

Wesley Harper, NVT’s Managing Director said, “We are deeply honored that our hard work in developing export markets has been rewarded with such a prestigious award. NVT’s commitment to export growth and its ability to succeed in new and emerging markets is a testament to the professionalism of the NVT team and their execution of a robust business plan.”

Since its arrival in the UK in 2000, NVT has been widely attributed as the driving force behind establishing the market for real-time, CCTV video transmission over unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable.

It’s feared that smart crooks could uncover details of a smart card from the signals emanating from a reader. Hitachi worked with Technische Universitaet Darmstadt to develop the technology and company says it plans to bring the cards to market within 3 years. The technology could be ideal for protecting next generation multi applications credit and access cards.

According to the PTA, more than 16 times as many people use public transport like buses, ferries
and trains, compared with domestic air travel. PTA president William Millar says that transit organisations have spent around $US1.7 billion on raising security levels but government funding for more surveillance cameras at stations, improved comms paths and better training are required to get the job done.

Meanwhile, the Transportation Security Administration will start screening train passengers using X-ray machines, sniffer
dogs and explosive detection equipment at Washington Station this month. The idea is hat screeners will run baggage through an X-ray machine while passengers will go through an explosives detection portal. It’s not the first time airport-style security has been implemented at a railway station. In May a suburban station in Maryland was one of the most secure in the
world as a pilot for the Washington Station roll-out went through its paces.

“We are excited to be working with Plug Power, a leading-edge provider of new technologies targeted at the telecommunications industry,” said Terrence Cummings, vice president and general manager, Tyco Electronic Installation Services. “This relationship will enhance the growth opportunities available to us in providing installation, engineering and maintenance
services to the backup power market.”

Tyco Electronics Installation Services has a nationwide footprint covered by more than 300 qualified technicians who will be available to install and service the GenCore product line. Plug Power has already trained a number of Tyco technicians to operate, install and maintain Plug Power GenCore systems. Tyco is incorporating GenCore-specific training into the basic curriculum available to its service force.

“This is great news for our current and future customers,” said Mark Sperry, chief marketing officer, Plug Power. “We now have a well known and respected service organization standing behind our GenCore product. Our customers can have our systems installed and serviced by our new partner, Tyco Electronic Installations Services.”

According to London’s Observer newpaper, the plan stems from the fear that the area around Big Ben and Parliament are vulnerable to attacks from truck bombs. Since a rash of IRA bombings 10 years ago led to street closures, and congestion led to a charge on private vehicles, London’s City business district has been significantly reduced.