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Council:
Emergency Planning
Major emergencies and disasters
Emergency Planning - August 2008
emergency.planning@kirklees.gov.uk
Introduction
The terrible events of September 11 2001 in New York and July 7 2005 in London highlighted that the modern world
is still an unsafe place. The multitude of potential risks inevitably means that emergencies will continue to
occur. Below is a sample of some of the emergencies which have occurred in the UK:
- Rail crashes at Selby and Potters Bar
- Foot and Mouth disease across the country
- Major power cuts in London
- Flooding at Boscastle and Carlisle
- Fire at Buncefield Oil Depot
- Tornados in Birmingham and Leeds
Other emergencies across the world had an impact in this country, for example:
- A bus carrying British tourists crashed in France
- Terrorist incidents occurred in Bali, Madrid and Turkey
- Military operations took place in Iraq and Afghanistan
- Adverse weather hit the United States and Europe
- The Asian Tsunami occurred
- Health alerts were issued in respect of SARS and Avian 'flu
- Earthquake in Pakistan
Civil Contingencies Act 2004
The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 describes the civil protection duties to be undertaken by different categories
of responders, and divides responders into two categories. These being:
Category 1 responders and civil protection duties required
| Category 1 |
Duties |
- Emergency services - Police (including British Transport Police), Fire, and Ambulance Service
- Local authorities
- NHS and health bodies (Primary care trusts, acute trusts, foundation trusts)
- Health Protection Agency
- Environment Agency
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- Assess local risks and use this to inform emergency planning
- Put in place emergency plans
- Put in place business continuity management arrangements
- Put in place arrangements to make information available to the public about civil protection matters, and maintain arrangements to warn, inform and advise the public in the event of an emergency
- Share information with other local responders to enhance co-ordination
- Co-operate with other local responders to enhance co-ordination and efficiency
- A specific duty placed on local authorities is to provide advice and assistance to business and voluntary organisations about business continuity management
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Category 2 responders and civil protection duties required
| Category 2 |
Duties |
- Utility companies - Gas, electricity, water and sewerage, public communications providers (Internet, landlines and mobiles)
- Transport companies - Bus and train operators
- Highways Agency
- Health and Safety Executive
- Strategic Health Authorities
- Voluntary organisations
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- Share information with Category 1 responders to enhance co-ordination
- Co-operate with Category 1 responders to enhance co-ordination and efficiency
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Whilst the duties for responders are described in the Civil Contingencies Act, the detail of what these
duties mean and how they should be performed are set out in associated regulations and guidance.
Definition of an emergency
An emergency is formally defined as:- "an event or situation which threatens damage to human welfare in a place in
the UK; the environment of a place in the UK or war or terrorism which threatens serious damage to the security
of the UK".
The definition is concerned with the consequences, rather than the cause or source of the emergency. Therefore,
provided that the emergency has consequences inside the UK, the emergency itself can occur inside or outside the
country.
Part 2 of the Act describes how a state of emergency may be declared by the Sovereign, or a senior Minister of
Government, when a specified emergency occurs.
A full copy of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, or a short guide, can be downloaded from the UK Resilience
website at www.UKresilience.gov.uk.
Kirklees Council recognises these statutory duties for effective civil contingency planning to ensure
the efficient and speedy management of the response to these incidents between all the possible agencies; the
emergency services (Ambulance Service, Fire and Police), the Council, utilities providers and voluntary agencies.
The purpose of the council's emergency planning is to provide staff with the plans, procedures and information
required to ameliorate the effects of any major emergency occurring within Kirklees Metropolitan District, whilst
allowing Council services to continue to provide, so far as possible, their usual day to day services.
The council's emergency plans set out the information, procedures and details required to ensure a rapid and
effective response to an emergency thus reducing to a minimum the distress and disruption caused by such an
incident.
You can read further information on the council's emergency plan arrangements.
Preparing for Emergencies - What you need to know
The one thing you can be sure of in an emergency situation is that it will probably be the last thing that you
expected. Floods, severe weather, transport accidents (air, sea, road, rail) or incidents involving dangerous
chemicals usually strike without warning.
To assist the public in being prepared for an emergency, the Government produced a booklet which was distributed
to every household in the UK. The booklet gives practical steps to take so that people can be ready when an
emergency strikes, and explains easy safety measures, how to reduce damage to property, and what to do if you
have to shelter in your home or move out of your home until danger has passed. Remember your own preparations
and self-help are essential and critical factors in dealing with any emergency.
This simple guide aims to help people cope with the unexpected and assist the emergency services in dealing
quickly and efficiently with major emergencies.
It is available in English and other languages at www.preparingforemergencies.gov.uk.
Dealing with an emergency
Whatever the situation, it is important to be ready to follow the instructions from the Police and other emergency
services. Planning for an emergency is never easy because no-one can predict what might happen, but it will almost
certainly mean police, fire and ambulance services may be in the front line of a tough situation. However, there
will be occasions when an incident occurs, but is not 'blue light' led, and instructions will come from other
sources.
Although every incident is different, they will operate in accordance with procedures set out in their own
incident procedure manuals.
These procedures are constantly being updated, and the council has its own plans for mobilising social services
as appropriate to the situation, such as Housing, Highways, Environmental Health, Adult Services, Kirklees Active
Leisure etc, and other council services, utilities companies, and voluntary organisations. Many businesses also
have their own emergency plans.
An emergency incident might mean evacuating an area and providing temporary accommodation. Rest centres may need
to be set up, food and bedding provided and information given to anxious relatives. Someone has to be ready to
reunite families who may be parted by an emergency situation, perhaps because the children were at school or some
people at work.
Arranging all this is the job of the emergency services supported by the council and many other public, private
and voluntary organisations.
Radio and TV - Warning the public
In major emergency situations, it may be necessary to issue warnings and advice to the public. Such messages would
normally be broadcast on relevant radio and TV channels. If you are not involved in the incident, but are close
by or believe you may be in danger, in most cases the advice is GO INside a safe building;
STAY INside until you are advised to do otherwise; TUNE IN to local radio or
TV for more information. "GO IN, STAY IN, TUNE IN" advice is recognised as being the best general
advice to give people caught up in most emergencies.
Information about the incident will also be posted on the Kirklees or Emergency Services' websites.
Remember to cater for power cuts - you should have a battery-operated, or wind up radio with frequencies of your
local stations marked on.
In addition, during an emergency, you can also access information by clicking on the icon at the bottom
right-hand corner of the 'Where I Live' page on the BBC website (www.bbc.co.uk/whereilive/).
Local Radio Stations
These are as follows:
Major hazard sites
Some industries, because of the nature and quantity of chemicals or substances stored or processed, are required
by law to distribute information to people living in the immediate vicinity of the hazardous sites.
This requirement applies to the following sites in or adjacent to the Kirklees Metropolitan District:
- Syngenta Ltd, Huddersfield www.syngenta.co.uk/about/syngenta-huddersfield.asp
- Hansons Logistics, Huddersfield www.hanson-logistics.co.uk/contactus.html
- Black Cat Fireworks, Huddersfield www.blackcatfireworks.ltd.uk/contact/?page=location
- Grosvenor Chemicals, Huddersfield
- Arch Chemicals, Huddersfield
- Lubrizol, Huddersfield
- Kalon Paints, Batley www.johnstones-paints.co.uk/
- Mitchell Cotts, Mirfield www.dow.com/cms/index.htm
- A H Marks & Co Ltd, Bradford www.ahmarks.com/
- CIBA Ltd, Low Moor, Bradford www.cibasc.com/cmp-ww-gb-bradford.htm
If you live in the immediate vicinity of the above sites you should have received an information card from the company. Make sure
that you and all occupants understand the information and advice so that they can take the appropriate action in the event of an
accident.
If you have not received the information card, you should contact the company.
Useful links
How to contact us...
| By email to |
emergency.planning@kirklees.gov.uk |
| By phone |
01484 226414 |
| In writing to |
Corporate Safety and Resilience
Design & Property Service
Kirkgate Buildings
Byram Street
Huddersfield
HD1 1BY |
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