It is very unlikely that any of us will ever be caught up in an emergency or disaster. However, emergencies can happen and when they do, they have the potential to threaten and disrupt the lives of individuals and the community, sometimes with serious consequences.
The wide range of services the council provides on a day-to-day basis, together with our expertise and local knowledge, means the Council is well placed to respond to unpredictable and unexpected events that may touch our lives at any time and in a number of different ways.
Our Emergency Planning Team plans our response to major emergencies. We provide useful links and contacts for emergencies. Whatever the incident, our role is if possible to:
'Protect the people and environment of Caerphilly county borough or reduce the impact on them from an emergency and to maintain normal council services whilst providing support to the responding emergency services'.
To achieve this role the main services provided are:
Planning - Continually assessing the risks that may affect Caerphilly county borough by developing and maintaining plans to control and mitigate their impact.
Training and Exercising - A programme of training and exercising for our staff and partner agencies enabling integrated and effective working when needed.
Liaison - The council works closely with neighbouring local authorities, emergency services, utilities, voluntary and other appropriate organisations, to share information and ensure plans and procedures fit together to provide a coordinated and integrated response to emergency incidents.
Operational - The council has a 24-hour Emergency Duty Officer system that provides an urgent response to major incidents.
Preparing for Emergencies - What you need to know
In August 2004, HM Government distributed a booklet called 'Preparing for Emergencies - What you need to know' to every home in the UK. The booklet contains practical advice on the steps you can take to help yourself and your family in the event of an emergency and is available to download below:
Preparing for emergencies – What you need to know (PDF 1.9mb).
The Preparing for Emergencies website accompanies the booklet and provides online advice.