London Fire Brigade Emergency Exercise at RAF Museum – Concept’s Spirit 900 in Action
The Royal Air Force Museum in London partnered with the London Fire Brigade (LFB) and several emergency services to stage a large-scale live emergency exercise in Colindale. The scenario involved a simulated fire breaking out within the museum’s galleries a setting filled with historic aircraft and priceless artefacts, demanding precision, communication, and coordinated teamwork.
Such multi-agency exercises are crucial for testing the real-time response and joint operational effectiveness of different services. They ensure that when a genuine emergency strikes, firefighters, police, ambulance teams, and museum staff can respond swiftly and effectively while safeguarding lives, property, and cultural heritage.
Realistic Smoke, Safe Training
To replicate the challenging conditions of a real fire, the Concept Smoke Systems Spirit 900 was chosen to generate dense, controllable smoke throughout the exercise area. The Spirit 900 produces a thick but completely safe artificial smoke, allowing firefighters to train under realistic, low-visibility conditions without posing any risk to the museum’s valuable exhibits or the public. This realistic simulation allowed fire crews to practice navigation, rescue, and communication strategies as if they were in an authentic fire environment enhancing confidence and teamwork under pressure.
A Successful Collaboration
Hendon and Mill Hill Station Commander, Ryan Kerby, praised the joint effort:
“Rising to the challenge and successfully rescuing all involved, the Brigade practiced not only their own procedures but also inter-agency collaboration under the JESIP principles. I would like to thank the Museum, LAS, MET Police, Casualty Union, and Brigade crews who made this possible.”
The RAF Museum also commended the event as a “successful live emergency exercise,” noting that the collaboration strengthened readiness and reinforced essential communication protocols between all participating teams.
Concept’s Commitment to Realism and Safety
For Concept Smoke Systems, this event highlighted the importance of providing advanced smoke technology that balances realism and safety. The Spirit 900 once again proved its value as a reliable training tool that helps emergency services prepare for high-risk scenarios in controlled, safe environments.
Exercises like this demonstrate how practical partnerships and innovative tools enhance preparedness across all emergency response agencies.
For more information please visit concept-smoke.co.uk website.
