Emergencies

The Civil Contingencies Act replaced both the Civil Defence Act 1948 and the Emergency Powers Act 1920, and addresses the contingency planning and emergency management responsibilities of local authorities and other agencies. The Civil Resilience Team co-ordinates the Local Authority response, writes plans to meet these statutory requirements and ensures that integrated plans are developed with all the relevant agencies. If needed, we will deploy the expertise and resources necessary to benefit and protect the community during a major emergency and promote a speedy return to 'normality'.

This is achieved through close co-ordination between the Unit, the emergency services, Local Authorities and other outside organisations, including the utilities, in plan preparation, staff training and in devising and running exercises designed to reinforce training and to validate agreed procedures to ensure an effective and integrated response.

The government sent a booklet 'Preparing for Emergencies - What you need to know' to every home in the UK, in August 2004. The booklet contains practical advice on the steps you can take to help yourself. The Preparing for Emergencies websiteaccompanies the booklet and provides further online advice.