Emergency Response - Responding to Emergencies
There is an agreed national framework for managing the local multi-agency response to, and recovery from, emergencies. This chapter describes the single-agency and multi-agency management tiers that comprise the local framework; their roles and responsibilities; the interaction between the tiers; and the interaction between individual agencies within the tiers.
Command, Control and Co-ordination are important concepts in the multi-agency response to emergencies and this chapter distinguishes between single agency command and control structures (often termed Gold, Silver and Bronze) and the multi-agency co-ordination structures that may be convened at Strategic, Tactical and, exceptionally, at Operational levels.
It is a generic framework and the principles and procedures underpinning it are flexible enough to be used to manage a wide range of emergencies. However, further guidance is given on the considerations that may apply in relation to:
- localised emergencies;
- wide-area emergencies;
- terrorist incidents;
- aninimal health outbreaks;
- maritime emergencies; and
- procedures and considerations for the management of evacuations.
The effective management of most emergencies will require access to specialist scientific and technical advice. During the response to an emergency, local responders in England are advised to consider establishing a Science and Technical Advice Cell (STAC) to provide timely and co-ordinated advice on scientific and technical issues.
In Wales, public health advice for Strategic Co-ordinating Groups is provided by Health Advisory Teams (HATs). The National Public Health Service for Wales takes the lead in the establishment of the HAT.
The Government operates a scheme of emergency financial assistance (Bellwin) to assist local authorities in covering costs that occur as a result of work related to the response phase of emergencies.
De-briefing should be honest and open, and its results disseminated widely.
Key documents
- Central Government’s Concept of Operations - Document setting out the arrangements for the response to emergencies requiring co-ordinated UK central government action
- Expectations and Indicators of Good Practice Set for Category 1 and 2 Responders (June 2009)
- Provision of scientific and technical advice in the strategic co-ordination centre - Guidance to Local Responders
- Evacuation and Shelter Guidance - Non-statutory guidance to complement Emergency Preparedness and Emergency Response and Recovery
- Mutual Aid - Draft Short guide for local authorities
- Identifying People Who Are Vulnerable in a Crisis - Guidance for Emergency Planners and Responders
Key Links
- The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure [external website] - guidance for procuring resilient telecommunications systems.
- Bellwin [external website]
Training
The Emergency Planning College (EPC) [external website] is the leading provider of training for emergency preparedness, attracting delegates with responsibility for preventing, planning for, responding to or recovering from a major incident. The EPC runs courses on the care of people as well as other aspects of civil protection.
Other documents
- DCLG: Guidance on development of a Site Clearance Capability in England and Wales [external website] Guidance to help everyone with a key role to play in planning for and dealing with the clear-up of rubble and debris generated by all types of incident whether of natural causes, accidental or from a terrorist attack.
- The Home Office document Guidance on Dealing with Fatalities in Emergencies (May 2004)
- The Needs of Faith Communities in Major Emergencies: Some Guidelines [PDF, 48 pages, 274KB] - Revised Home Office and Cabinet Office guidance document
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency [external website]
