More Information

• Civil contingencies act 2004 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/36/pdfs/ukpga_20040036_en.pdf
• Community resilience development framework https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/community-resilience-development-framework
• Emergency Preparedness Guidance: Guidance on part 1 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, its associated regulations and non-statutory arrangements. Emergency preparedness – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Guidance – Resilience in society: infrastructure, communities and businesses Resilience in society: infrastructure, communities and businesses – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• A councillor’s guide to civil emergencies A councillor’s guide to civil emergencies | Local Government Association
• Local authorities’ preparedness for civil emergencies A good practice guide for Chief Executives https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/759744/181116_LA_preparedness_guide_for_cx_v6.10__004_.pdf
• Met Office community resilience leaflet https://www.dorsetprepared.org.uk/media/68045/met-office-community-resilience-leaflet-updated-october-2021.pdf

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004

The Act, and accompanying regulations and non-legislative measures, will deliver a single framework for civil protection in the United Kingdom capable of meeting the challenges of the twenty-first century.

The Act is separated into two substantive parts:

• Part 1: focuses on local arrangements for civil protection, establishing a statutory framework of roles and responsibilities for local responders
• Part 2: focuses on emergency powers, establishing a modern framework for the use of special legislative measures that might be necessary to deal with the effects of the most serious emergencies

Duty of the Local Resilience Form

The 2004 Civil Contingencies Act includes ‘public awareness’ and ‘warning and informing’ as two distinct legal duties for Category 1 responders – advising the public of risks before an emergency and maintaining arrangements to warn the public and keep them informed in the event of an emergency.

Why warn and inform

A well-informed public is better able to respond to an emergency and to minimise the impact of the emergency on the community. It is important that the information is seen as knowledge and is not meant to cause unnecessary alarm.

Single message to the public

Confusion would be caused if more than one organisation were to plan to warn the public about the same risk, at the same time and to the same extent. For this reason, the various organisations that make up Thames Valley’s Resilience Forum work together to produce one single message for the public and deliver it through a variety of communications channels. As with any other part of planning for emergency response, the communications approach to warn and inform the public (either directly or through the local media and social media) is a key part of our emergency plans.

What information is needed and when?

We also need to think carefully about what information different audiences will want, and when, in an emergency. It is important to consider for example that not everybody will have internet access or be able to receive messages which are only given out in English. The timing of information is also critical. People need to be given warning before an incident and then information, advice, and guidance during and after the incident.

Warning methods

The methods available to deliver urgent information to members of the public are extremely varied. Some warning methods include:

• Mobilising emergency services crews to go out on foot and knock on doors
• Media announcements (typically radio and television)
• Automated telephone/fax/email/text messages to subscribers
• Loudhailer or other amplified messages from car or helicopter
• Electronic/variable message boards (similar to those used on motorways)
• PA announcements in public buildings, for example shopping centres, sports venues, transport systems
• Social media

Working with the media

In times of civil emergency, the media plays a critical role, broadcasting fact-based information which will help the public to help themselves. We work closely with local and regional media to ensure the timely and accurate sharing of information.