South Derbyshire District Council

As a local authority we have a duty under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to support the emergency services in the case of a major incident. We are on call 24 hours and will coordinate the council's response during a major incident.

The aim of the emergency planning service is to prepare emergency plans, make arrangements to protect people and the environment of South Derbyshire and reduce the impact from an emergency.

We regularly liaise with the police, fire, ambulance and health services through Derbyshire County Council in preparing our emergency plans. These plans are tested regularly through joint training and exercises.

What is a major incident/emergency?

Natural disasters such as floods and storms
Pollution i.e. spillages, radioactive substances, toxic gases
War or terrorism
Any incident which is a threat to the welfare of the community

The Emergency Plan

We have an Emergency Plan to deliver services during a major incident. The plan contains details of actions that we or the emergency services should take following a request for assistance. The plan is designed to cope with any emergency irrespective of where or when it occurs, so it must have some flexibility.

We have written other plans for more specific emergencies.

Risk Assessment

As a designated 'Category 1' responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, we are required to carry out Risk Assessments within our area.

This process involves working with our partners including the emergency services and health community to assess the level of risk for a range of potential hazard within South Derbyshire. We look at the likelihood of, and potential impacts associated with threats to human health, industrial accidents, fire, flooding, transport accidents, the terrorist threat and serious disruption to the supply of fuel, energy, communications and other essential services.

A 'Community Risk Register' has been compiled to show the results of these assessments and the following link will take you to the Community Risk Register for South Derbyshire:

South Derbyshire Community Risk Register (pdf)

Response to emergencies

We support the emergency services’ response to incidents by providing resources (plant, equipment, premises, expertise, etc). We also help to co-ordinate the response from Parish Councils and voluntary agencies. In some emergencies, such as flooding, we take the lead role in the response supported by the emergency services.

Business continuity

We have a Business Continuity Plan in place to ensure that key services can continue during any disruption such as severe weather, loss of premises or power failure.

The strategy supporting these arrangements is available in our Business Continuity Strategy Plan in the related document section.

What would happen to your business if you were affected by a fire, flood, storm, fraud or vandalism?

Developing your own business continuity plan could help you minimise the effects of any disruption. For more information on business continuity plans and how to prepare them, follow the link below.

Advice to businesses

Derbyshire Prepared - Business Continuity Advice

The Cabinet Office has published a Pandemic Flu Checklist for Businesses to assist in developing and reviewing plans. It identifies important and specific activities which organisations can do to prepare for a pandemic.

Pandemic Flu Checklist for Businesses (129KB)

Derbyshire Prepared

Further information can be found on the recently launched website called 'Derbyshire Prepared' www.derbyshireprepared.org.uk

This website has been developed by members of Derbyshire's Local Resilience Forum which comprises members from the emergency services, county, city, district and borough councils, health community, the Environment Agency and Highways Agency.

Training and exercises

All agencies involved in the response to emergencies are trained in their roles. The plans are tested every three years to ensure that they would work efficiently and effectively in any emergency situation.

Contact details

South Derbyshire District Council
Environmental Services
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH

Tel: 01283 221000
Direct Line: 01283 228713 (Tues and Fri)
Online: contact form
email: environmental.health@south-derbys.gov.uk

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Emergency planning