The Civil Nuclear Constabulary’s (CNC) Exercise & Resilience Team put the Command and Control Centre (CCC) to the test in Operation Hermes, simulating a site attack through a series of realistic calls. The exercise evaluated the CCC’s ability to respond swiftly and accurately, triggering the right internal and external notifications under pressure.
On Wednesday, control room officers were required to implement established procedures, alerting the force’s Strategic Firearms Commander, Tactical Advisors, and external partners including the local Home Office police control room, Counter Terrorism Command, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), and relevant military units. The scenario was fully simulated, focusing on decision-making, information flow, and coordination, rather than on-site activity.
Steve Warren, Exercise and Resilience Manager, said “These exercises challenge our team to make the right notifications, record and relay critical information, and identify the appropriate agencies and command structures to involve. Even simulated, the pressure mirrors real-life incidents and tests the skills our CCC officers rely on every day.”
This marks the first Operation Hermes exercise in two years. Steve added, “The team performed exceptionally, demonstrating both speed and accuracy. Over the coming months, we will run further exercises, incorporating live interaction with external partners to enhance realism.”
Operation Hermes forms part of the force’s ongoing resilience and readiness programme, ensuring that all systems, personnel, and procedures are rigorously tested to deliver an effective response whenever required.