Voluntary Partners

SALVATION ARMY
The Salvation Army is an international religious and philanthropic movement organised on a national basis. In the UK the Army comprises a number of "territories" each having subordinate "provinces" or "divisions".

In the event of a Major Incident, the Salvation Army would assist the Emergency Services and Local Authorities with:-
a) co-ordination of Clergy major incident response at the scene;
b) counselling and welfare support for casualties, survivors, evacuees and relatives, at scene, hospital or Reception/Rest Centres;
c) counselling and welfare support at temporary mortuaries;
d) light refreshments
e) minor first aid

Within Tyne and Wear the Salvation Army is the pivotal organisation for the response to a Major Incident by the Clergy.

Initial Contact
Police - to serve refreshments to those engaged at the incident scene or to help in mortuary or associated services

Tyne and Wear Emergency Planning Unit - for additional services in Reception/Rest Centres, etc. (Also responds as per directives laid down in the Clergy MIP)

Health Services – assistance at hospitals

NORTHUMBRIA VOLUNTARY AGENCIES GROUP
Northumbria Voluntary Agencies Group has been set up to address the co-ordination of voluntary effort at Major Incidents and other events in the Northumbria region.

The Tyne and Wear EPU chair the Group.  The Group consists of representatives from:

• Police
• British Red Cross
• St. John Ambulance
• Women's Royal Voluntary Service
• Salvation Army
• Radio Amateur Emergency Network (RAYNET)
• Faith Groups
• Samaritans
• Rotary Club
• Search and Rescue Dog Association
• Sunderland Volunteer Bureau
• Tyne and Wear Emergency Planning Unit
  

Duties and Responsibilities
i. To establish the co-ordination of support from appropriate Voluntary Agencies in the response to a major incident or state of emergency in the Northumbria region.
ii. To establish links between the Tyne and Wear EPU and other appropriate bodies with those Voluntary Agencies who may be called upon to respond to a major incident or state of emergency in the Northumbria region.
iii. To provide a discussion forum for those Voluntary Agencies who may be called upon for assistance in a major incident or state of emergency in the Northumbria region.
iv. To co-ordinate the integration of appropriate Voluntary Agencies into the emergency planning response through training and exercises.

WRVS
The WRVS is an all-purpose Emergency and Community Welfare Service organised throughout the United Kingdom.

The WRVS in Tyne and Wear would be available to support the Emergency Services and Local Authorities in such areas as:-

a) staffing Reception/Rest Centres;
b) Emergency Feeding and Welfare Services;
c) provision of light refreshments;
d) casualty documentation and registration;
e) distribution of emergency clothing, bedding and blankets.

Initial Contact
Via Tyne and Wear Emergency Planning Unit

BRITISH RED CROSS
The British Red Cross responds to emergencies daily, providing assistance to individuals experiencing a personal crisis. This daily activity equips BRC volunteers with the skills that enable them to support the statutory services when dealing with the needs of individuals who have been involved in a major incident or national emergency.

Areas of Support
The Northumbria Branch has skilled volunteers in teams that provide support in such areas as:-
a) Practical and emotional support and reception duties in Accident and Emergency Departments and Reception/Rest/Evacuation Centres;
b) Escort, accompany and transport casualties, decanted hospital patients, survivors, evacuees, relatives and friends;
c) Provision of health and social care support;
d) Befriending, listening and signposting;
e) Provision of warmth and clothing
f) First Aid at casualty clearing/receiving centres/first aid posts;
g) International Tracing and Messaging;
h) Provision of medical loan equipment;
i) Distribution of European Grants;
j) Red Cross Disaster Appeal Scheme.

Initial Contact
Via North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust

ST JOHN AMBULANCE
The role of the St John Ambulance would primarily be in support of the Medical Services and therefore the responsibility for call out would normally rest with the Ambulance Service.
A request for assistance can be made by the EPU direct to St John Ambulance for attendance at a designated Rest Centre to provide welfare/first aid cover.

The St John Ambulance Brigade is a national organisation controlled and directed by the British Order of St John. It is paralleled in Scotland by the St Andrew Ambulance Association, and is organised into branches which coincide with county boundaries.

The Northumbria Branch of the St John Ambulance would support the Emergency Medical Services in such areas as:-
a) Provision of first-aid;
b) Provision of ambulances;
c) Support for casualties, survivors, evacuees and relatives, at scene, hospital or Rest Centres;
d) Routine assistance at hospitals;
e) Assistance in evacuating hospitals.

Initial Contact
For Ambulance Support contact should be made through North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust

For any other assistance contact should be made through the EPU

FAITH GROUPS
At a major incident the presence of Ministers of religion can be of great value to alleviate distress, particularly among the elderly. Most churches have organisations which may on appropriate occasions be able to help in welfare and similar arrangements.

The Churches have set up an organisation to respond to requests for help in the event of a major incident and have developed the Northumbria Church and Faith Groups Clergy Major Incident Plan which gives guidance to denominational representatives.
A representative of the above will act as Co-ordinator for the Clergy Major Incident Plan within Tyne and Wear.

The Salvation Army will provide the Clergy Site Co-ordinator. The Clergy MIP would be activated by the EPU.

When activated, the Clergy Major Incident Plan provides for:-
a) co-ordination of inter-denominational support;
b) spiritual assistance at the scene;
c) hospitals and Rest Centre;
d) assistance with care of the bereaved, especially at mortuaries and designated Chapels of Rest;
e) assistance with notification of relatives (accompanied by Police);
f) co-ordination of memorial services;
g) clergy representation on any Disaster Fund Committee;
A copy of the Clergy Major Incident Plan is held by the EPU who will co-ordinate call-out if requested.

Initial Contact
Via Tyne and Wear Emergency Planning Unit

RADIO AMATEUR EMERGENCY NETWORK (RAYNET)
RAYNET is a voluntary organisation of radio amateurs, affiliated to the Radio Society of Great Britain, whose members are qualified radio operators holding licenses issued by the Radio-communications Agency of the Department of Trade and Industry
RAYNET is able to provide a well practised and disciplined emergency radio communications service over an extensive range, subject to topographical limitations, and greater coverage can be obtained by utilising strategically located “repeater” broadcasting stations.

RAYNET communications use specified frequencies in the UHF, VHF and HF bands and can be used to complement and augment the VHF radio facilities of Authorised Users.

Authorised User services, in accordance with Wireless Telegraphy Acts are:-
a) Police;
b) Fire;
c) Ambulance;
d) British Red Cross Society;
e) St John Ambulance;
f) Emergency Planning
g) Health Agencies/Services;
h) Government Departments;
i) Public Utilities

Any of these services can call on RAYNET during any period of disaster relief operations. However, in Tyne and Wear co-ordination of RAYNET input would be through the Chief Emergency Planning Officer.

Initial Contact
Via Tyne and Wear Emergency Planning Unit.