Civil Contingencies Act
Why do we plan for emergencies?
Most people plan for emergencies whether it be by installing smoke alarms and fire extinguishers or carrying a first aid box. Agencies across Liverpool plan on a larger scale to try and lessen any effects of emergencies and ensure they are ready to respond. See partnerships section for more information on inter-agency working and plans.
Previous incidents and disasters that have occurred across the UK have shown that planning for emergencies is essential. Following incidents such as the Foot & Mouth Disease outbreak, fuel shortages due to fuel strikes and the severe flooding that affected many parts of the country in 2000/2001, the government launched a review of emergency planning across the UK. It was recognised that many Local Authorities and Emergency Services had good emergency planning arrangements in place but that consistency to approach was needed. The Civil Contingencies Act (2004) was developed and passed as an act of parliament.
The Civil Contingencies Act places a number of duties upon Local Authorities and other agencies that it classifies as either Category 1 or Category 2 responders. Liverpool City Council as a Category 1 responder has a number of duties placed upon it and is legally required to carry out the following activities:
- Assess the risk of emergencies occurring and use this to inform contingency 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; and
- Provide advice and assistance to businesses and voluntary organisations about business continuity management.
For more information on the Civil Contingencies Act visit http://www.ukresilience.info/ccact/index.shtm