As part of NPIA's ongoing support to command training in Abu Dhabi Inspector Ian Ross from Uniform Operational Support based at NPIA Wyboston delivered a two week Critical Incident Command course in early December 2009.

The course designed for Majors and Captains aims to give officers the essential tools to deal with both critical and major incidents.

The course covered command and control principles, risk assessments, first responders duties and pre planning and contingencies for major events.

Ian and resident NPIA Liaison Officer Ralph Rawsthorne took the students to the recently completed Yas Marina racing circuit, home to the first Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix.

Following a detailed visit to the site students prepared briefings, operational orders and contingency plans for a number of scenarios based around a VIP visit and incidents at the venue.

During the visit Mercedes were testing the new SLR gullwing version of their sports coupe which had been released to the world the previous day at the Dubai motorshow. Unfortunately the organisers would not accept the NPIA certificate of motor insurance for a test drive!

Ralph Rawsthorne