RAF Marham has successfully completed a large-scale live exercise designed to test the Station's emergency response procedures and its ability to work alongside local emergency response partners in the event of a major incident.
Exercise Booming Bull, a major incident live exercise, saw RAF Marham collaborate with Norfolk Resilience Forum partners including Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service, East of England Ambulance Service Trust, Norfolk Constabulary, Breckland Council, Borough of Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, NHS England, Norfolk and Suffolk Integrated Care Board, Norfolk County Council, and the Environment Agency to respond to a simulated large-scale incident on the Station.
The exercise scenario involved an explosion, fuel spill, collapsed building and a significant number of casualties, placing emergency responders in a realistic and demanding environment to test their coordination, communication and decision-making under pressure.
The exercise provided an invaluable opportunity to assess how effectively RAF Marham and its partner agencies work together in response to a serious incident, identifying strengths and areas for further development across all participating organisations.
RAF Marham Station Commander, Group Captain Leonie Boyd said "Exercise Booming Bull was an outstanding demonstration of what can be achieved when dedicated and professional teams work together. I want to thank everyone who worked so hard to plan and deliver this exercise, as well as all those who took part on the day. Exercises like this are absolutely vital — they test and prove our ability to respond effectively to a major incident and ensure that RAF Marham and our partner agencies are ready to act decisively when it matters most."
Scott Norman, Chair of Norfolk Resilience Forum and Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service added, “Exercises like this are vital in ensuring we are ready to respond and keep communities across Norfolk safe. It was fantastic to see partners working so effectively together, putting plans into practice, and strengthening our joint response to real-life emergencies. We work together year-round to make sure the county is as prepared as possible for major emergencies, while also supporting residents, businesses, and communities with advice on how they can be ready too.”
Exercises of this nature are a vital part of ensuring that all agencies are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any major incident, protecting both Service personnel and the wider community.
About the Norfolk Resilience Forum
The Norfolk Resilience Forum (NRF) is a multi-agency partnership of organisations working together to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies affecting Norfolk. Its members include representatives from emergency services, local authorities, health services, Government agencies, and community partners.
Operating under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, the Forum is responsible for developing and maintaining multi-agency emergency plans, assessing local risks, and coordinating joint training and exercises to ensure an effective and unified response to incidents. Key risks in Norfolk include flooding, severe weather, wildfires, and power outages.
The NRF works to build safety and resilience in residents, businesses, and communities across Norfolk by improving preparedness, raising awareness, and ensuring that agencies can effectively work together.
For more information about the Norfolk Resilience Forum, please visit www.norfolkprepared.gov.uk or contact [email protected].
