THE day everyone prays will never come is to be discussed by emergency planners tomorrow.

Doomwatch scenarios are on the agenda at a meeting of 100 representatives from private and public sector organisations, councils and emergency services.

The Emergency Services' Awareness Day, organised by Cleveland Fire Brigade, is being held at the brigade's Training Centre at Grangetown.

It is designed to increase awareness of procedures for dealing with area-wide chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear incidents (CBRN).

Two CBRN awareness sessions have been set up for representatives of all agencies who are involved in emergency planning in the area.

The event has been arranged as part of the fire brigade's strategy to improve and increase awareness and strengthen procedures.

Senior Divisional Officer Paul Joyce will lead presentations and demonstrations in liaison with police, ambulance and emergency planning agencies, for groups attending morning and afternoon sessions.

Mr Joyce said: "This CBRN awareness day is part of our strategy to involve all stakeholders, which includes local authorities and politicians, in the work we do for the communities we serve.

"The sessions will include demonstrations of equipment and questions and answers.

"It is important for us to involve stakeholders in the ongoing process of improving and increasing awareness and strengthening procedures for the safety of the community."

Councillor John Jones, the chairman of Cleveland Fire Authority, said: "It is important that all stakeholders are kept informed and involved and aware of the role all agencies must play in the protection of the communities we serve.

"Cleveland Fire Brigade has taken a lead in organising this seminar.

"I am sure everyone who attends will find it a valuable experience."

* Last month, a series of fictitious incidents were used to test emergency planning preparedness of the NHS and other agencies.

More than 50 people took part in the desktop exercise, working through issues surrounding a series of complex scenarios.

They included a bomb explosion at a conference in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, an aircraft flying over the Yorkshire Dales with its engine on fire, and a horrific road collision which involved chemicals and children.