Everyone should be aware that emergencies can affect individuals, families and communities without warning. The Council and the Government ask all members of the community to be aware of the possibility of emergencies occurring within the locality of their homes, workplace, educational establishments or within their social activities.
To assist in this see our leaflet Public Advice for Emergency Situations
The Government also has information available on their website Community Resilience and Preparing for Emergencies.
In some areas of the country, it may be feasible for local communities to make plans for themselves and their neighbours, such as those where flooding occurs. Volunteer Flood Wardens to keep an eye on rising river levels, who will pass on this information to others is an example of such planning.
Examples of how this can be of benefit :
Graham Thompson, Chair of Keswick Flood Action Group said:
"After the 2005 floods we realised that there was a role for volunteers to provide assistance in the build-up and aftermath of a flood. We set up a small group of volunteers with the support of the Environment Agency, Cumbria Emergency Planning team, Cumbria Fire and Rescue and the Met Office.
“When flooding occurred in November 2009 we were able to respond, providing a co-ordinated team of volunteers with local knowledge to help reduce property loss and provide warning of evacuation before withdrawing for our own safety. In the aftermath we supplied support to residents and the police, particularly in the first 72 hours when professional resources were concentrated elsewhere in Cumbria.
“When the idea was first suggested I could think of lots of reasons for not trying to lead our group. However, have seen its impact on the community I would urge others to take up the challenge. There are lots of people who are eager to help but to be effective they need to be co-ordinated and to work with other agencies".
Gurminder Panesar, Birmingham resident, said:
"It is really important that communities are involved with any emergencies happening in their area. On 23rd February 2011, a major fire happened on the Stratford Road in Birmingham. The electricity and gas supplies were cut to all households in Fulham Road. We knew straight away where the vulnerable elderly people were and we were able to take them to other nearby homes to feel safer. For those people that stayed in their homes we organised hot drinks to be taken to them until the gas and electricity came back on".
John Clayton - Selly Park South Neighbourhood Forum Flood Action Group co-ordinator said:
"I believe that community resilience is important because it can utilise important local knowledge and expertise from within the community and it gives local people a degree of control over their own lives rather than leaving them purely dependent on outside help. However it cannot function effectively without support from national and local government and the appropriate agencies"
