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During a major emergency, special arrangements are put in place by the emergency services, the NHS and the relevant local authority. The Joint Emergency Planning Unit has a website http://www.suffolkresilience.com/ where further information can be found.
Should a major emergency occur within the boundaries of Babergh District Council, we will initially provide support for the emergency services and also assistance directly to the community where this is appropriate. Primarily this will be through the Joint Emergency Planning Unit.
We will provide the lead local authority role when any emergency occurs within our boundary and liaise with other agencies as appropriate to ensure that suitable levels of support are provided to the community generally.
Emergency response arrangements are normally divided into two phases, an initial response phase and recovery phase. The lead organisation during the initial response phase will usually be Suffolk Police although some emergencies involving fire, pollution or public health dangers may require Suffolk Fire Service, Environment Agency, NHS or Local Authority leadership.
As the emphasis switches from response to recovery we, as the relevant local authority would normally be expected to take on the lead role and would co-ordinate all matters relating to the return to normality.
The emergency arrangements we use closely align with the integrated emergency management principles outlined in government guidance relating to disaster management.
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