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ach location. When an incident is reported, TfL is able to give precise locations and the response by the fire or ambulance services is efficiently and accurately coordinated What is more, TfL has installed a communications system that allows emergency service radios to work everywhere on the Tube network – enabling vital contact with control centres above ground – which was not possible before. There are now no dead signal spots. And there are medical kits in more places across the network – 170 locations in all. Though not, as was hoped, on the Tube trains themselves because of vandalism and space concerns. Underneath seats is essential equipment for the running of the train. There is also a “talkback” function installed on Tube trains. The driver is now able to communicate from his seat with passengers further down the train using a PA system when the emergency alarm is activated. All Tube staff now has a personal radio, as do all London’s firefighters. And the LAS have 20 ambulances automatically on standby to go straight to the scene of a major incident, without waiting to be called.

Lessons Learned

The LAS learned a great deal from the tragic events of 7 July 2005 and have made a number of significant developments and improvements so that the emergency services and staff are better prepared if anything similar happens again. These include an introduction of the Airwave digital radio system, which includes coverage on the underground, sending a pre-determined response to a major incident, including 20 ambulances, 10 officers and all available emergency support vehicles carrying extra equipment, replacing previous incident control rooms with a new purpose-built one, able to help manage multiple simultaneous major incidents, improving major incident training for staff, and introducing new medical equipment for the treatment of seriously injured patients. Some of these changes were already in progress when, in June 2006, the London Assembly’s 7 July Review Committee published the findin