Surrey's Plans
Most of us make plans for unexpected minor emergencies, whether by installing a fire extinguisher, carrying a first aid kit or leaving a spare key with a trusted neighbour. On a larger scale, Government, local authorities (councils), the emergency services, businesses and other organisations make plans for unexpected incidents and disasters.
It is an unfortunate fact of life that emergencies and disasters do occur. These often unpredictable and tragic events have various effects on our society and the environment in which we live and work. It is to contain and minimise these events and their effects that the emergency services and local authorities make plans for emergencies.
The risk of a major disaster occurring in Surrey is low; all to often however we are reminded that these events do occur. The world's media transmits pictures of the most recent disasters daily into our homes. From natural disasters in developing countries to transportation disasters closer to home we are aware of the all too frequent events that impact on peoples lives and property.
No single agency has the capacity, skills and resources, with which to respond successfully. Disasters demand a combined and coordinated response, linking the expertise and resources of the emergency services and local authorities supplemented as appropriate by other organisations. Emergency Planning is legislated by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and responders work to the guidance documents Emergency Preperadness and Emergency Response and Recovery
The Civil Contingencies Act sets out clearly how organisations, particularly local responders, should go about preparing plans for emergencies.
Responding to disasters and emergencies is not common sense; the response from the various agencies has developed with thorough and informed planning, training, exercises and unfortunately, but most importantly, experience of responding to past disasters. This experience has been invaluable in highlighting the need for considered, integrated and coordinated emergency planning.
The various agencies in Surrey work together to plan a coordinated and integrated response should the unthinkable occur in the county. This includes planning to respond quickly and effectively and planning to work with communities to assist with the recovery and the restoration of post disaster normality. The primary response organisations come together under the auspices of the Surrey Local Resilience Forum (SLRF) formerly known as the Surrey Emergency Services Major Incident Committee (SESMIC).
Planning for emergencies ensures that the emergency services, local authorities and other responding organisations better communicate and coordinate their efforts, improving both the management at the scene and the post disaster recovery process for the people of Surrey.