Civil Contingencies - Civil Protection

The terrible events of September 11th 2001 in New York highlighted that the modern world is still an unsafe place. There are a multitude of potential risks and so emergencies will inevitably occur from any of the following:-

• Natural Hazards
• Industrial accidents
• Industrial action
• Human error
• Equipment failure
• Terrorism

For risks relevant to Stafford Borough, please see Stafford Borough Risk Register

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email:	mjones@staffordbc.gov.uk
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To illustrate this further, since the turn of the millennium the following major incidents have occurred:

• 2000 - National floods
• 2000 - Hatfield rail crash
• 2000 - Foot and Mouth
• 2000 - Fuel strike
• 2001 - Selby rail crash
• 2002 - Potters Bar rail crash
• 2002/3 - Fire Fighters strike
• 2004 - Boscastle flood
• 2004 - Tebay rail crash
• 2004 - Ufton Nervet rail crash
• 2005 - Carlisle flood
• 2005 - Moy rail crash
• 2005 - London bombings
• 2005 - Buncefield explosion
• 2007 - National floods
• 2007 - Grayrigg rail crash
• 2008 - Boeing 777 crash Heathrow
• 2008 - Barrow on Soar rail crash
• 2009 - Pandemic Influenza (Swine Flu)
• 2009 - North Sea helicopter crash
• 2010 - Cumbria shootings

The Council recognises that there is a need for effective planning for civil emergencies to ensure the efficient and speedy management of the response to these incidents between all the possible agencies; the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance Service, the Council, utilities providers and voluntary agencies. Under the Civil Contingencies Act the Council has a duty to perform the following duties:-

• Co-operation - with partner responder organisations
• Information Sharing - with partner responder organisations
• Communicating with the public - warning and informing about emergencies
• Emergency Planning - Putting in place emergency plans
• Risk Assessment - identifying local area risks
• Business continuity Management - Keeping the business going during an emergency
• Advice to businesses - About how to deal with incidents which may affect them.

The purpose of the Council's Civil Contingencies Working Group is to provide staff with the plans, procedures and information they require to enable them to ameliorate the effects of any major emergency occurring within Stafford Borough Council, whilst allowing Council services to continue to provide as far as possible their usual day to day services.

The Council's emergency plans set out the information, procedures and details required to ensure an effective, flexible and timely response to an emergency thus reducing to a minimum the distress and disruption caused by such an incident.

If you require any further information on the Council's emergency planning, please use the contact details above.

Major Emergency Arrangements

The one thing you can be sure of in an emergency situation is that it will probably be the last thing that you expected. Floods, severe weather, transport accidents (air, sea, road, rail) or incidents involving dangerous chemicals usually strike without warning.

This guide explains simple steps everyone should take to be ready when an emergency strikes. It explains easy safety measures, how to reduce damage to property and what to do if you have to shelter in your home or move out of your home until danger has passed. Remember your own preparations and self-help are essential and critical factors in dealing with any emergency.

This simple guide aims to help people cope with the unexpected and assist the emergency services in dealing quickly and efficiently with major emergencies.

Dealing with an emergency

Whatever the situation, it is important to be ready to follow the instructions from the Police and other emergency services. Planning for an emergency is never easy because no-one can predict what might happen - a major road, train, air or river accident; a serious fire; violent storms; flooding or another dangerous incident. Whatever happens, it will almost certainly mean police, fire and ambulance services in the front line of a tough situation.

Although every incident is different, they will operate in accordance with procedures set out in the Emergency Services Major Incident Procedure Manual.

These procedures are constantly being updated, and the Council has its own plans for mobilising social services, housing, highways and environmental health. Public utilities, voluntary organisations and many businesses also have their own emergency plans.

An emergency incident might mean evacuating an area and providing temporary accommodation. Rest centres may need to be set up, food and blankets provided and information given to anxious relatives. Someone has to be ready to reunite families who may be parted by an emergency situation, perhaps because the children were at school or some people at work.

Arranging all this is the job of the emergency services supported by the Council and many other public, private and voluntary organisations.

Radio and TV - warning the public

In major emergency situations, it may be necessary to issue warnings and advice to the public. Such messages would normally be broadcast on relevant radio and TV channels such as:-

• Signal One Radio (96.4fm / 06.9fm / 102.6fm / DAB)
• BBC Radio Stoke (94.6fm / 104.1fm / DAB)
• Beacon Radio (97.2fm / DAB)
• BBC News 24
• Sky News

Remember to cater for power cuts - you should have a battery-operated radio and know how to tune in to your local stations.

Major Hazard Sites

Some industries, because of the nature and quantity of chemicals or substances stored or processed, are required by law to distribute information to people living in the immediate vicinity of the hazardous sites.

If you live in the immediate vicinity of the above sites you should have received an information card from the company. Make sure that you and all occupants understand the information and advice so that they can take the appropriate action in the event of an accident.

If you have not received the information card, you should contact the company.

Further Information

For further information concerning Civil Contingencies information please go to www.staffordshireprepared.gov.uk .