The management of threat events

Events which threaten life, property, the community or the environment, make particular demands, both financial and human, on those responsible for decision making when controlling and co-ordinating resources in response to those events. Technology is now able to provide us with a computer representation of the real world, rather than having to rely upon real exercises. This allows decision-makers to explore in a safe environment the various threat events that may occur, and to assess the scale and necessary reactions to that event. Integrated emergency response plans may also be validated within this environment. Examples are given of the use of TUTOR/sup TM/ to illustrate the benefits of this type of computer exercise environment and PlanNet in producing the plan using Internet technology. QinetiQ is working with UK and world-wide organisations to develop programmes for the management of threat events. The requirement is encapsulated within various skill areas, and where required, the practice is exercised and simulated within a multilevel, multi-sided, interactive, data driven and rule based computer system, called TUTOR/sup TM/. Training programmes aim to develop a common approach using systematic and logical procedures, but the nature of threat events is such that this will continue to be both an art and a potential science.