After the storms: Planning ahead and dealing with extreme weather

What do councils need to consider when planning for extreme weather?

There are many challenges for local emergency responders. Different weather brings different challenges – flood defences one month, clearing snow the next and then making plans for extreme heat after that! There are many practical aspects that need to be prepared including radios, food contracts, sleeping bags, access to search and rescue teams.

It’s not always common knowledge but local authorities have statutory responsibilities under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to risk-assess and plan for numerous threats and hazards. They have to make difficult decisions. For example, sandbags only work in a few scenarios, but during a flood people will want them and it looks like inadequacy if they aren’t supplied. It’s the mission of the Emergency Planning College (EPC), run by Serco, to help with this work by delivering Cabinet Office-approved emergency planning and crisis management training in the UK.

During an incident, the UK emergency response is built around multi-agency collaboration between local authorities and emergency responders, including the police and other partners, such as utilities companies. We train responders from all these fields.

What role can the EPC play in helping councils to prepare?

The EPC runs specific courses to assist responders with preparing for emergencies. It also works to get them ready for the challenges of recovering from emergencies. I am really proud of our seminar series and speaker programme, which include a diverse range of relevant experience. We also gather case studies so that planners have the latest information and solutions available...

Read on at Ethos Journal here

Ethosis aimed at public sector leaders, politicians, academics and policy specialists debating the future of public services today.