Harrogate Borough Council
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Civil protection
Under the new Civil Contingencies Act 2004 the District
Council has been given new responsibilities in respect of local
emergencies.
The regulatory framework which will apply, is still only in
draft form, but it is clear that the Council, along with other
emergency responsibilities, will have the following duties:
- Assess local risks, and draw up a Community Risk Register, and use this information to determine what emergency plans are required.
- Put in place specific and generic plans to deal with the risk.
- Put in place Business Continuity Management arrangements within the Council service.
- 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 cooperation and to coordinate their actions during an emergency.
- Provide advice and assistance to businesses and voluntary organisations about Business Continuity Management, so that in the event of an emergency the community is more resilient to its effects.
The Act defines an "emergency" as:-
a) An event or situation, which threatens serious damage to
human welfare in a place in the United Kingdom.
b) An event or situation, which threatens serious damage to
the environment of a place in the United Kingdom.
c) War or terrorism which threatens serious damage to the
security of the United Kingdom.