• Community Emergency Plan

COMMUNITY INFORMATION

Welcome to the Shotley Parish Council Community Emergency Plan

Produced in partnership with the local community, parish council and Strategic Continuity Ltd, a consultancy specialising in emergency planning, our plan sets out how Shotley Parish Council will provide local assistance and parish information in support of the emergency services in times of a major emergency.

Emergency defined as an event or situation which: threatens serious injury to life or homelessness, damage to property, or effects the supply of food, water, energy or fuel, causes disruption of a system of communication, transport, health or serious damage to the environment.

Widespread emergencies are generally related to severe weather and/or failure in essential public services/utilities. The former tends to cause the latter. If the emergency services are unable to meet the initial demand for assistance they may prioritise their response in favour of the neediest areas. Shotley may be physically or practically isolated from outside help in the short term.

Civil Contingencies Act 2004 imposes a legal duty on local authorities and a moral responsibility for town and parish councils to prepare and maintain Emergency Plans.

Shotley Parish Council has formed a small team of volunteers to form an Emergency Team. It hopes to recruit more volunteers to help in times of emergency and make use of local resources. Good local pre-planning, coordination and communications will ensure that local assistance is applied to best effect in a widespread emergency.

How prepared are we for an emergency?

What would our community do if we were isolated and unlikely to receive external assistance for 24 hours or more?

Who would take the lead in coordinating any local response?

Do we know what resources, human or otherwise, are available within the community for use in such an emergency?

Would our community be able to put these resources to best use and later integrate them with external assistance?

Are we aware who the most vulnerable people are within our community during an emergency and what their special needs are?

Is the community aware of any significant local hazards, which may exacerbate a general emergency situation?

In the initial stages of an emergency we will:

• Activate the Community Emergency Plan and emergency information webpage on MyShotley.com, providing timely updates, advice and information. Government resilience advice is that people should go home, tune in to the radio and follow advice.
  

• Open and set up a pre-designated Community Emergency Centre and nominate a Response Coordinator who will liaise with the emergency services.
  

• Advise the Police that the centre is open, provide contact details and a local situation report.
  

• Mobilise necessary human and physical resources.
  

• Ensure there are adequate communications with mobilised resources.
  

• Set up and staff a Temporary Rest Centre if necessary.
  

• Coordinate availability of human and physical resources on a priority basis.
  

• Provide information to the community, using MyShotley.com, local radio, and where necessary information posters on the community notice boards.
  

What should I do in an Emergency?

• Call 999 and listen to the advice of the emergency services.
  

• Check on your neighbours.
  

• Go in, stay in, tune in to the local radio and follow advice.
  

Prepare:

• A list of useful phone numbers such as your doctor and close friends and relatives.

• Home and car keys.

• Toiletries and prescribed medication.

• A battery radio with spare batteries.

• A torch, spare batteries, candles and matches.

• First aid kit.

• Mobile phone.

• Cash and credit cards.

• Spare clothes and blankets.

What should I do before an Emergency?

Know:

• Where and how to turn off water, gas and electricity supplies in your home.

• The emergency procedures for your children at school.

• The emergency procedures at your place of work.

• How you will stay in contact with your family in the event of an emergency.

• If you have elderly or vulnerable neighbours that might need your help.

• How to tune into your local radio station.

• How to contact your Household Insurers.

• If you are in a flood risk area, check by going to www.environment.agency.gov.uk or by calling 0845 988 1188.

• Keep a stock of bottled water, ready to eat food (e.g. rice, pasta, tinned food, and a bottle / tin opener.

• Stock up on heating products: coal, wood, bottled gas.

Shotley Parish Council has formed a team of volunteers that could assist the emergency services in times of a major emergency. It hopes to recruit more volunteers to help in times of emergency and make use of local resources.

Good local pre-planning, coordination and communications will ensure that local assistance is applied to best effect in a widespread emergency impacting on Shotley.

If you would like to volunteer to join our team, and / or have specialist skills or equipment that could be used by the community in a major emergency please contact MyShotley.com.