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.
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
Download Community Resilience Plan Template 2021 [DOCX - 128KB]
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: 30/09/2024
