Local Government
Local Authorities
Local authorities play an important role in civil protection
as recognised by the new Civil
Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA) Each local authority manages
a civil contingency planning function. Civil protection personnel
co-ordinate planning, training and exercising within local authority
departments.
Local authority planning
is carried out in close co-operation with the emergency services,
utilities and a range of key partner organisations.
The principal concerns
of local authorities in the immediate aftermath of an emergency
are to provide support for the people in their area. In the
first instance they do so by co-operating closely with the emergency
services in the response phase. However, they also have many
specific responsibilities of their own. They will use the
resources of local authority departments to mitigate the effects
of emergencies on people, property and infrastructure and play a
key role in co-ordinating the response of the voluntary sector.
The local authority will
also endeavour to continue normal support and care for the local
and wider community throughout any disruption.
As the emphasis moves
from reponse to recovery, the local authority will take a leading
role in facilitating the rehabilitation of the community and restoration
of the environment.
The introduction of the
Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA) places the following duties on
Local Authorities as Category 1 Responders:
- Co-operation
- Information Sharing
- Risk Assessment
- Emergency Planning
- Business Continuity Management
- Communicating with the Public
- Advice and assistance to business and voluntary organisations
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