Civil contingencies act

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 has transformed the face of all emergency response organisations. 

The highly visible Emergency Responders such as the Police, Fire and Ambulance Service are called Category 1 responders and they usually deal with an incident from the outset. However, they are also supported in the immediate and longer-term by a whole host of other agencies in the public, private and voluntary sector.

These other agencies are known either as Category 1 or 2 Responders and include; The environment agency, other NHS organisations, electricity, gas and water utility supply companies, telecoms companies,

Preston City Council is classed as a Category 1 responder.

Emergency Planner 

It is crucial that each of these organisation's has a planned response and that the plans are co-coordinated to avoid confusion in the immediate aftermath of an incident.

Whilst the police will normally take the lead in co-coordinating the response to incidents, Preston City Council's emergency planning section undertake a significant role in helping the entire council plan, respond to and recover from any major emergency. A recovery period can be as short as a few days or in severe events can last for many months.

The emergency planner's primary responsibility is to ensure that we have a robust and resilient yet flexible major emergency plan. One that is designed to deal with major incidents that could affect the City and its community.

By putting such plans in place ensures that the council is prepared to respond to any civil emergency that affects the community and its environment. By working efficiently together, the emergency services, voluntary agencies and other groups, all help to bring about a speedy return to normality.

What kind of emergencies do the council plan for and respond to?

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 has defined an emergency as - 'Any event or situation which threatens serious 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.'

We have also completed specific emergency plans to deal with:

• Flooding
• Evacuations
• Pandemic Flu
• Major road accidents
• Chemical release
• Oil pollution
• Radiation
• Avian Influenza

In conjunction with our partners in the police service, fire service, north west ambulance, NHS, Lancashire County Council, The Environment Agency and the all important Voluntary Organisations, we test and review our emergency plans on a regular basis.

Emergency Planning Officer

The Emergency Planning Officer, Karen Lees, can be contacted for advice at:

The Emergency Planning Service daytime hours 8am - 5pm

1st Floor Town Hall 
Lancaster Road 
Preston 
PR1 2RL

Telephone: 01772 906384
E-mail: EPO@preston.gov.uk  

If you wish to know more about the Emergency Planning service in Preston or have any questions, please contact us at the above address.