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Emergency planning

Major incidents can have a wide variety of causes ranging from comparatively minor events with local effects, through to major incidents which although local, could have wider repercussions, to widespread natural disasters which could affect many areas at once.

Every year the police, fire and ambulance services deal with incidents - often of short duration - which do not require the involvement of local authorities. But major incidents and disasters require the district council to support the activities of the emergency services and other agencies and provide aid to homeless and distressed people.

No single plan can cover all contingencies; the paramount needs for dealing with emergencies are speed and flexibility and, in a widespread disaster, the control and co-ordination of all available resources.

Certain situations, such as flooding, can be forecast to a greater or lesser degree and appropriate preparations made, but by their very nature major emergencies cannot be planned for in detail.

Local Authorities have statutory responsibilities which in essence cover:

a) The maintenance of the public service for which they are responsible.

b) The general alleviation of distress which people living in the area of any disaster may be suffering, with special responsibility to provide shelter and feeding for those made homeless. Therefore in a major incident, the local authority's involvement is likely to continue long after the emergency services have withdrawn.

These responsibilities are shared between the county council and the district council.

Where there is immediate danger to life, any military commander is authorised to provide immediate aid to local government agencies, emergency services, public utilities etc without reference to higher authority and without cost.

The district council is directly responsible for the following functions throughout its geographical area during a major emergency:

a) Provision, administration and management of rest centres for evacuees.

b) Provision of transport to and from rest centres

c) Investigation and taking of action on environemntal pollution and public health matters.

d) Collection of refuse arising from the incident and cleaning the site.

e) Repair and/or demolition of district council owned buildings and housing stock.

f) Emergency repair or demolition of privately owned buildings and housing stock in the absence of the owner.

g) Flood warning, flood relief and cleansing.

h) Provision of public information, press releases and public relations.

The Chief Executive co-ordinates all local authority action in the district. This includes co-ordination of appropriate press releases, public announcements, answering of media enquiries etc. in consultation with the Corporate Communications Officer.

DirectGov has created a set of webpages offering advice to those in need of support and information following an emergency.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/helpafterincident

Flooding

Flooding in the district remains a possibility given sufficient heavy rainfall. However, it should be noted that relatively few people and properties are at risk.

It is the responsibility of the Environment Agency to monitor rainfall and river conditions continuously and to issue warnings, when conditions indicate that flooding is likely, to the Chief Executive of the district council and directly to local residents who wish to receive warnings.

These arrangements are described in the 'Flood Warning Dissemination Plan for Shropshire' prepared by the Environment Agency, which outlines the procedures and the roles of the various agencies involved.

Each area within the Severn Trent Region of the Environment Agency has a rota of Flood Warning Duty Officers responsible for the monitoring and issue of the warnings.

The Environment Agency is responsible for monitoring weather forecasts, rainfall and river flow throughout the Upper Severn Region. When conditions suggest that floods are likely, it is the responsibility of the Environment Agency to issue flood warnings to the Police, to the Fire and Rescue Services, to the relevant local authorities and to the public. Messages are passed over the telephone network to recipients using Automatic Voice Messaging (AVM). The public is able to dial Flood Line on 0845 988 1188 or click here to obtain up to date reports of flood situations.

The Environment Agency operates a flood warning system for the Rivers Vyrnwy, Severn and on sections of the River Teme within Shropshire. The new flood warning system is outlined below in four stages.

	Flood Watch	Flooding is possible in the notified area. Be aware. Be prepared. Watch Out!
	Flood Warning	Flooding of homes, Businesses and main roads is expected. Act Now!
	Severe Flood Warning	Severe Flooding is expected. There is imminent danger to life and property. Act Now!
	All Clear	There are no flood watches or warnings currently in force.

The Agency may also issue Flood Warning information in the form of a Flood Warning Update and Further Flood Warning Update before a Severe Flood Warning is issued.

The council supplies sandbags to those properties deemed to be most 'at risk' of flooding. A stock of empty sandbags are stored at the Stanley Lane Depot.

For further information on our emergency planning arrangements please contact the council on 01746 713 100 or request emergency planning information online.