The floods in Sheffield and Gloucester have demonstrated the
need for communities to be able to manage until outside help
arrives. At particular risk are the elderly and
vulnerable. Communities must therefore be prepared to help
those incapable of helping themselves.
The following comments are from community emergency planning teams,
stating the importance they place on having a predefined Community
Emergency Plan in place.
Eriswell Parish Council
- In the event of a major emergency, assistance may not be
immediately available. If an incident is widespread or the
community temporarily isolated, residents in the parish might not
receive outside assistance for some time, so it is a sensible
precaution to have in place a plan for self-help.
- The plan provides a sense of security and safety to residents,
thereby upholding the sense of wellbeing within the community.
- An incident occurred in Eriswell when a fire took hold and
resulted in petrol fumes and smoke drifting towards the
village. A warning was given that properties might
have to be evacuated. This is one example of when the Parish
Plan Emergency Officer was reassured that a plan was in
place.
Further guidance
For guidance on preparing a Community Emergency Plan, including
templates, visit the
Suffolk Resilience
website.