Emergency planning

We have a critical role in civil protection, as there are a wide range of functions that are likely to be called upon in support of emergency services during emergency response and recovery.

In collaboration and coordination with partner agencies and organisations, we will:

• provide immediate immediate and short-term shelter and welfare for survivors not requiring medical support (and their families and friends) through evacuation, rest, humanitarian and other centres
• provide medium to longer-term welfare for survivors and residents - for example, social services support, financial assistance (which may be generated from appeal funds) and helplines to answer the public's questions
• provide investigating and enforcement officers
• facilitate the inspection of dangerous structures to ensure that they are safe for emergency personnel to enter
• clean up pollution and facilitate the remediation and reoccupation of sites or areas affected by an emergency
• liaise with the coroner's office to provide emergency mortuary capacity (in the event that existing mortuary provision is exceeded)
• coordinate the activities of the various voluntary sector agencies involved and those of spontaneous volunteers
• lead the recovery effort, which is likely to carry on for a considerable time and is likely to involve many organisations who are not ordinarily involved in, or used to, the speed and scale of the recovery effort.

We may also:

• provide catering facilities, toilets and rest rooms (in one place) for use by emergency response personnel in the event of a long-lasting emergency (this will depend on the circumstances and available premises)
• put in place arrangements for supporting communities to become more resilient to the risks they face.

We also have a large role in addressing community needs via drop-in centres and organising anniversaries and memorials, as part of the recovery effort.