How do we respond to emergencies?

The borough council will endeavour to support the emergency services by: 

• Supporting as necessary any rescue operations
  
• Arranging and implementing traffic diversions and road closure in conjunction with the Police
  
• Provision of short term immediate shelter and assistance with longer-term accommodation for evacuees and the homeless, through the organisation and management of Reception/Rest Centres and Humanitarian Assistance Centres
  
• Activating the DOSEC, (District off-site emergency centre) to co-ordinate the council's response
  
• Assisting other responders to warn and inform the public about the emergency, including the establishment of local helplines and information and enquiry points, and a Media Briefing Centre if required
  
• Maintaining contact points with local organisations, suppliers, contractors and other public sector organisations, whose services and resources may be sought to assist the council's response
  
• Engage and co-ordinate the assistance of the voluntary agencies, whose services and resources may be sought to assist the council's response
  
• Supplying any information or advice, which may assist the emergency services with regard to the construction of structures, highway drainage, roads, bridges etc
  
• Providing information and support to bereaved families and friends and survivors, and where appropriate to anyone else who has been affected
  
• Co-ordinating a trauma counselling service if necessary
  
• To lead on the post incident recovery phase