Great Barton Emergency Response Plan
“We consider Emergency Planning to be essential if an emergency occurs or there is a major loss of services. If this is widespread it is likely that help from the emergency services, authorities and utilities would not be forthcoming for some time and communities would then be left to provide for themselves until external help is provided. In such cases the parish would be dependant upon the resources from within and the self-help provided by the residents. Although the likelihood is low our parish has recognised the need to respond to such events.
We therefore have in place an Emergency Response Plan that enables us to utilise volunteers and resources from within the community and to operate and communicate in a safe and effective manner rather than trying to make it up at the time. The publication of parishes that have a plan will make parishes aware of what planning is in place within their area of the county. Parishes could also benefit from each other and provide mutual help and assistance.” Contact point: pturner0@btinternet.com
How the Ousden Emergency Plan came about
It all started with a visit to a parish council meeting by David Bird in January 2005. We talked about the possible emergency situations the parish could face, the most likely being extreme weather and the fact that in the event of an emergency, the parish council would be the first line of communication for St Edmundsbury. Discussion ensued on how the parish council could prepare itself for this role.
Following the presentation, councillors decided to produce their own emergency plan. While they recognised that they would probably never need to use it, there had been several incidents around the country (such as the flooding in Boscastle) which highlighted the need for a system to be in place should the unforeseen occur. At the very least, the council felt that there should be a record of the different resources available in the village and any vulnerable people who may need help.
A plan template was provided for us to base our plan on. At first it seemed far too detailed for such a small village, but in the end the council decided that a lot of the detail was relevant. We added a map, incident logs and registration forms to our plan and copies have been circulated to all the councillors and main village organisations. We just hope we will never have to use it! But if we do, then hopefully we won’t be unprepared.
Clare Parish Council Emergency Planning Committee
When they were approached by the Borough Emergency Planning Officer, with information on the ways in which a community can help itself in response to emergency situations, Clare Parish Councillors saw the opportunity to build a system based on the existing community spirit. A committee of the parish council was formed, chaired by a parish councillor and with at least two other parish councillors as members, but the bulk of the committee membership was made up of the people of Clare.
They developed a simple call out system based on the members and their three or four nominated helpers. Halls for use as places of refuge were identified and a leaflet was produced and distributed to every household. After two years, the leaflet has now been revised, reprinted and re-distributed. Designed to be kept by the telephone, it provides all parishioners with an initial point of contact on an area basis, but with the alternatives of all other committee members. This built in redundancy should ensure that there will always be someone to respond. The committee now meets just twice a year to review membership and call out lists. Contact point davidwdadd@yahoo.com.
Horringer-cum-Ickwirth
For more information contact:
David Bird
Emergency Planning Officer
Borough Offices
Angel Hill
Bury St Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 1XB
Phone: 01284 757035
Email: david.bird@stedsbc.gov.uk
Or visit: Suffolk Resilience website to find about the need for community emergency planning: www.suffolkresilience.com
