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Nuclear scars gone in flash - PICTURES
EMERGENCY services from across South Yorkshire came together for an exercise testing out the response to a potential terrorist attack on the region.
Exercise Godiva was organised to test how the various agencies would respond to a disaster which would necessitate mass decontamination of victims following a nuclear fizzle in the area.
More than 50 volunteers from local schools and the community gave up their time on the day to act as people who had suffered radiation burns as a result of a terrorist attack.
They were asked to walk through decontamination tents erected outside Barnsley District General Hospital's emergency department.
In reality patients would not be able to enter the hospital for further treatment until they had been cleaned.
The event, which involved South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue, Yorkshire Ambulance Service and hospital staff, was part of the national requirement to hold a live exercise every three years to test how prepared the emergency services are.
Other smaller exercises are carried out every year.
Mike Lees, head of emergency planning at Barnsley Hospital, said: "It has been a very demanding time for all concerned.
"Exercises like this are all about gaining experience for the future, for the time when we have to deal with real, large-scale emergencies.
"We have learned some very valuable lessons, and will be working with the other emergency services to implement recommendations.
"I'd also like to thank all the volunteers involved - and the make up artist for giving up their spare time for this very valuable exercise."
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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