Preparing for emergencies in the community
You can't predict when your community may be affected by a disaster but you can be prepared. Communities can use local resources and knowledge to help themselves during an emergency and complement emergency services.
For latest Community Resilience information visit the SupportDG site
Risks to communities
- Severe weather
- Infectious disease
- Fuel shortages
- Major accidents
Possible effects
- Loss of life
- Severe injury / illness
- Damage to property
- Travel restrictions
- Lack of supplies
Planning for an emergency
It is worthwhile having a resilience plan for your community which details the knowledge and resources available to minimise disruption during a crisis.
A community resilience plan should:
- identify the essential requirements for your community
- set out what to do during a crisis with clear roles and responsibilities
- list the actions that allow key activities to continue in difficult circumstances
Support we offer
Training support and assistance is available for any community group who wants to complete a community resilience plan. Other support includes:
Community resilience checklist
- Do you know which neighbours could be most vulnerable in an emergency?
- Are there facilities available for shelter and evacuation?
- Are you aware of any specific local risks which could pose problems?
- Do you have a list of useful contact telephone numbers (neighbours, emergency services, utility providers and local voluntary organisations)?
- Is equipment available which could be useful when responding to a crisis?
Page last updated: 30/04/2021