A Model to All

As I've watched the news and read the stories about yesterday's horrible and cowardly terrorist attacks in London, I've been struck by one thing more than anything else:

London was prepared for this.

The saddest part of living in today's world is, of course, that we must be prepared for attack. This is not to say we must live in paranoia, but we must be vigilant and cautious.

London was ready for the inevitable--for it was inevitable that a major world capitol would be targeted eventually.

Some amazing coincidences occured yesterday, such as the bus explosion in Tavistock Square occuring right next to a convention of doctors. Or the meeting of Air Ambulence doctors who were then flown to King's Cross by helicopter in order to get to the victims quickly.

Coincidence aside, however, London was alert, quick and ready. Many of the critically injured patients were stabelized at the scene of the attacks before being moved to hospital. Ambulances were reserved for the worst injuries, while the famous red double decker buses transported the "walking wounded" to hospitals for treatment.

According to BBC News Online:

In September 2003, firefighters donned bright green decontamination suits and police played the role of members of the public as they rehearsed the response to a chemical attack in an underground tunnel close to Bank Tube station.

A report on the drill said improvements had been made but that more work was needed, particularly in preparing specific alternative plans for rescuing people underground. It also found problems in communications, including masks which interfered with radios.

Ministers said the exercise had been very valuable.

In February 2003, tanks and hundreds of police and troops were deployed to Heathrow airport after intelligence reports suggested militants might be plotting a missile attack on a passenger plane.

An inter-agency team, London Resilience, was set up following 9/11 to review preparedness for an attack and co-ordinate sectors including the emergency services, utilities, health, transport, and business.

It found London's emergency response arrangements were "well prepared for the types of major incident that had been considered previously. However work was needed to address the scale and nature of new threats."

Following Thursday's apparently co-ordinated explosions across the capital, the Metropolitan police commissioner Sir Ian Blair said it was a situation "for which we have planned and prepared".

"A very significant and sophisticated emergency operation is now swinging into effect," he told the BBC.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4660193.stm

It just amazes me...

The othter thing that never fails to make me proud is how people are willing to rush in and help. We saw it on September 11th, we saw it in Madrid. We're seeing it again.

This was a horrific act, and one that will not be forgotten soon. Not with images like the following, from BBC News Online:


Blood stains a wall in the area around the wreckage at the junction of Tavistock Square and Woburn Place.


A medic runs towards the scene of the bomb blast to treat survivors.


A couple are re-united near the bus bomb blast.


Around midnight a construction worker bowed his head in prayer outside King's Cross station.

The good news is that the mainline rail services are up and running again. Here's a picture from Liverpool Street Station, where I go in and out of London:



The other great news is that Kathy's family are all accounted for and safe, as are the family and friends of other friends.

I just want to thank all the people who have sent their prayers and good wishes. I, of course, have been safe in little Burnham, but also deeply affected by what has happened.

Cheers,

Meg