Emergency response

The Act divides local responders into two categories, imposing a different set of duties on each.

Category 1 responders are those organisations at the core of emergency response. Category 1 responders include the emergency services, local authorities and NHS bodies. Category 1 responders are subject to the full set of civil protection duties. We are a Category 1 responder.

Together we are required to:-

• Assess the risk of emergencies occurring and use this to inform emergency planning and business continuity planning.

• Put in place emergency plans.

• Put in place business continuity plans.

• Put in place arrangements to make information available to the public about civil protection matters and maintain arrangements to warn, inform and advise the public in the event of an emergency.

• Share information with other local responders to enhance co-ordination.

• Co-operate with other local responders to enhance co-ordination and efficiency.

• Provide advice and assistance to businesses and voluntary organisations about business continuity management (local authorities only).

Category 2 responders, which include the Health and Safety Executive, Strategic Health Authorities, transport and utility companies are "co-operating bodies", which are less likely to be involved in the heart of planning work but will be heavily involved in incidents that affect their sector. Category 2 responders have a lesser set of duties.