Bomb Evacuees use the Pavilions as a Rest Centre

Well, where do I start!

As part of the city's plans for dealing with major incidents, we have an agreement in place to make the Pavilions available to be used as a base for affected members of the public, emergency services, and in essence whatever is required.  Yesterday, it was required.

 

As I’m sure you’ll know by now, an unexploded World War 2 bomb was found in the old NAAFI on Thursday afternoon.  At 5.30pm we received a call that the area around the bomb was being evacuated, and the emergency plan was being launched.  Within minutes, members of the public who had been hurried out of their homes and businesses were arriving at The Pavilions.  This included all the guests and staff of the Holiday Inn. 

 

Thankfully, plans for this are sat on shelves waiting to be read, and regular training is undertaken within our Front Of House teams.  By 6.30pm, around 300 residents of all ages were being looked after by our staff (who had either stayed on, or had come in at literally a moments notice), by the emergency services, social services, St Johns Ambulance, and even a holidaying Reverend.

 

The bomb was eventually made safe and was ready to be moved by 10pm. Unfortunately the route it needed to take went right past the Pavilions, so one final set of precise planning was required to ensure everyone within the building was safe should the bomb explode while passing us!

 

At 10.50pm we were able to give the "all clear", and allowed people to leave.

 

Even with all the planning in the world, these types of events can be difficult, let alone at a moments notice.  However, I'm so proud to have witnessed the evening be handled in a first class manner.  I cannot praise enough every single member of staff involved, who all played their own important part in the events.  Some worked a 14 hour day.  Others came in at a drop of a hat.  All went beyond the call of duty, which was just what was required.

 

So thank you to everyone involved.  And not just our staff, but to the Police, Council, NHS, various branches of the Social Services, and numerous charity volunteers.  They all helped many, many people, including those that were young, old, sick and disabled, to have the most positive experience they could at a time of anxiety and concern.