Emergency Plans

We have a number of plans in place to respond to different risks. Below are some examples of the council’s plans.  All relevant staff receive training in relation to the plans and they are regularly tested to ensure all procedures and information is up to date. 

Major Emergency Plan
This plan explains the basic principals of how the council will respond to an incident and manage our resources. It includes our alterting procedures, roles and responsibilities of each department and key individuals, and emergency contact details.  The plan ensures we can provide a effective flexible and co-ordinated response. Click here to view the Major Emergency Plan.

Avian Flu
Warrington Borough Council has an Emergency Plan for Avian Flu in place.  Further information provided by Environmental Health is available here.

Rest Centre Plan
Sometimes during a major incident it is necessary to evacuate members of the public from an area. In this situation the emergency services will ensure everybody is moved away from the danger area.  If you are not able to make your own arrangements with family or friends, the council will arrange to transport you to a designated Rest Centre.

A Rest Centre is where we would provide temporary shelter and welfare arrangements to those who have been evacuated during a major incident.  This includes a range of services suited to the scale of the incident and the duration of stay at the Rest Centre.

We have a good spread of Rest Centres throughout Warrington - emergencies can occur anywhere.

COMAH Off-site Emergency Plans
Local Authorities have a duty to prepare emergency plans in partnership with organisations whose operations falls under the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations 1999.  These organisations or Operators are usually based within the chemical industry and fall under these regulations if they use or store over a certain quantity of dangerous substances. 

The Operators have a duty to ensure that they have adequate policies and procedures in place in prevent a major incident/accident.  However we work in conjunction with them to prepare for any likely off-site effects of a major accident occurring at a site involving any of the substances covered by the Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations 1999. Although the Local Authority has the duty we also consult with partner agenises such as the emergency services, Primary Care Trust, Health Protection Agency and with members of the public through their elected members.

There are three Comah sites in Warrington:

• Solvay Interox Ltd
• TDG Chemicals

• Orica UK Ltd
  

Major Accident Hazard Pipeline Plan   
Local Authorities have a duty to prepare emergency plans in partnership with pipelines operators whose operations fall under the Major Accident Hazard Pipeline Safety Regulations.  The nature of the substances transported in these pipelines can vary but they can be hazardous or non-hazardous. 

There are pipelines present in many parts of the borough and are often located in close proximity to each other. They are owned by three operators: 

• National Grid UKT and UKD
• SABIC UK Petrochemicals Limited
• Shell UK

Anyone wishing to carry out works or developments near to a major accident hazard pipeline is advised to contact the pipeline owners regarding their proposals.

By working with the pipeline companies and HSE we can assess the threat to local communities and ensure that the effects on the community of any accident are minimised by managing an incident in a co-ordinated way. 

Flood Response Plan
We work closely with the Environment Agency to warn people about the risk of flooding, and in reducing the likelihood of flooding from rivers and the sea.  All homeowners and business in a flood area should visit the Environment Agency website to find out if you can receive direct warnings. It is also important to keep yourself up-to-date with the latest flood warning information and get advice on preparing for a flood.  The Environment Agency website provides more information about how to prepare.

Advice in relation to flooding
There are some measures you can take if you hear a flood warning either through the local radio/TV or through the Environment Agency flood warning system.

•  Move valuable items upstairs
•  Inform others in your community particularly the elderly or disabled
•  If flooding is imminent turn off the gas and electricity
•  If you have access to sandbags put them outside your property
•  Be ready to evacuate if your home or business is affected and move to a Local Authority rest centre

For more information visit www.environment-agency.gov.uk or telephone the floodline on 0845 988 1188.