Recommendation MAI-133: High fidelity training for emergency responders
From Manchester Arena Inquiry: Volume 2: Emergency Response, published 3 November 2022.
Recommendation
The Home Office, Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters, the College of Policing, the Fire Service College and the National Ambulance Resilience Unit should consider introducing the use of regular 'high-fidelity training' to give emergency responders better experience of the stress, pressure and pace of a no-notice attack.
In brief (written by this site)
The Inquiry recommended introducing regular high-fidelity training for emergency responders facing no-notice attacks. In February 2026, the Cabinet Office stated that the proposal is considered as part of developing a healthcare standard for events and will be included in scoping and writing stages where appropriate (Cabinet Office, Feb 2026). In April 2026, the Southport Inquiry reported hearing that the North West Ambulance Service (NWAS), in common with other ambulance services, does not currently have the funding capacity to allow all frontline staff to participate in regular major incident exercises (Sir Adrian Fulford, Apr 2026).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 5 Oct 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
Accepted in full
Delivery
Cabinet Office says in progress (27 February 2026)
This is considered as part of R132-R139 on developing a healthcare standard for events and will be included in scoping and writing stages, where appropriate.
Earlier statement on delivery (1)
Cabinet Office (14 November 2025)
This is considered as part of R132-R139 on developing a healthcare standard for events and will be included in scoping and writing stages, where appropriate.
From: Manchester Arena Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard, original version (data file)
What other bodies have found
In their own words. These do not change the delivery statement above.
Southport Inquiry (13 April 2026)
Additionally, the Inquiry heard that NWAS, in common with other ambulance services, does not currently have the funding capacity to allow all frontline staff to participate in regular major incident exercises, despite the clear value of such training and ongoing work in this area.
From: The Southport Inquiry: Phase 1 report, volume 1 (accessible), Sir Adrian Fulford, Chair, Southport Public Inquiry
Source
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- UK Government
Response - Cabinet Office
Delivery statement - Southport Inquiry
Finding