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Local authorities have clear legal obligations and duty of care to provide effective, robust and demonstrable emergency arrangements to mobilise resources to deal with a broad range of emergencies.
From time to time emergencies occur which require special measures to be taken. Such events are defined under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 as;
“(a) an event or situation which threatens serious damage to human welfare in the United Kingdom or in a Part or region,
(b) an event or situation which threatens serious damage to the environment of the United Kingdom or of a Part or region, or
(c) war, or terrorism, which threatens serious damage to the security of the United Kingdom. “
This document has been prepared to comply with the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA). A short guide to the Civil Contingencies Act can be found at (http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk)
As a category 1 responder the district council is charged with preparing appropriate plans to deal with a wide range of emergencies that fall within the council’s remit.
To provide procedures and guidance that facilitate an appropriate and proportionate response by the Council to meet the needs of any emergency thereby contributing to alleviation of distress and disruption caused by such incidents, and enabling the authority to continue to provide normal services as far as is possible.
Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and associated regulations, all county and district authorities, as category 1 responders, have a responsibility to undertake the following responsibilities:
This plan is intended to meet the requirements outlined by this legislation with respect to detailing the emergency response including the response measures required under the Control of Major Accident Hazards 1999, Pipeline Safety Regulations 1996 and the Radiation Emergency Preparedness Public Information Regulations (REPPIR) 2001.
Existing standards and requirements for health and safety at work will apply to major emergency responses by the council. This includes risk assessments. However, due to urgency and the rapidly changing nature of major emergencies, it is likely that more reliance will be placed on dynamic risk assessment. Awareness of hazards and their potential to cause harm will need to be addressed by all levels of response. It must be remembered that this is a continuous process.
It is important that managers and staff recognise when their limit of knowledge and understanding of the potential hazards has been reached. They will then need to seek competent advice before proceeding with an activity.
Emergency planning and training should also include measures to manage risks.
Staff engaged in major emergency response may find the experience very stressful as they may be exposed to traumatic sights or come into close contact with people who have just experienced or witnessed a traumatic event.
Crisis management involving long working hours combined with intense activity that demand quick decision making is potentially damaging to health. Careful selection of staff can help to minimise the risk. Awareness of any staff with personal links to anyone directly involved in the disaster or direct links to similar disasters in the past will also aid staff selection.
Managing shift lengths and rotation of staff, structured breaks with adequate refreshments and opportunities to engage in informal discussion with colleagues away from the “front line” can also help to minimise potentially damaging stress.
Staff should be made aware of the council’s counselling service, access through the shared East Kent HR Partnership. Staff should be encouraged to participate in training and exercising so that they are better prepared to cope in an emergency.
This plan is designed to act as a foundation to the authorities’ response and will ensure that it interlinks with the following documents:
The diagram above illustrates the role of the Thanet Major Emergency Plan within the framework of plans held and maintained by the Kent Resilience Forum and Kent County Council. The Kent Resilience Forum Pan Kent Emergency Response Framework and the KRF Pan Kent Recovery Framework describe the activities and responsibilities that must be addressed by the Thanet Major Emergency Plan.
The Thanet Major Emergency Plan describes the responsibilities and activities to be contained within any activity-specific plans written and maintained by Thanet District Council.
In addition, the contents of the Thanet Major Emergency plan must fit smoothly with any Kent County Council or Kent Resilience Forum subject specific plans, such as the Severe Weather Warning and Informing plan.
Suitable cross referencing to relevant documentation and plans will be made as necessary, therefore ensuring that all appropriate interlinking arrangements are identified accordingly.
Next: Plan maintenance and review
Tel: 01843 577083