Emergency Planning
Swine FluNorth Hertfordshire District Council continues to monitor the situation and will publish any local relevant information as it becomes available. Sources of useful information and guidance concerning the Swine Flu Pandemic can be found via our Swine Flu page. |
Hertfordshire is a safe place to live, however, major incidents can occur and usually with little or no warning. Major incidents are characterised by causing widespread disruption, injury to people, damage to property and businesses.
| One definition of a major incident is: | |
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'any event or circumstance (happening with or without warning) that causes or threatens death or injury, disruption to the community, or damage to property or to the environment on such a scale that the effects cannot be dealt with by the emergency services, local authorities, and other organisations as part of their day to day activities'. Dealing with Disaster, 3rd edn |
The aim of any incident, emergency or business plan is to mitigate the effects of a major incident on the public, community, business and the environment.
In the United Kingdom no single organisation is responsible for dealing with major accidents or natural disasters. Existing arrangements rely on immediate assistance from the emergency services (Police, Fire and Ambulance). If the incident is such that it cannot be dealt with by the normal resources of these services, then support can be called upon from a local authority like North Hertfordshire District Council.
In order to respond quickly, North Hertfordshire District Council maintains plans known as Major Incident Plans and Business Continuity Plans. These ensure we can respond to the incident and still maintain our key services during the period that staff may be deployed on other duties or be unable to gain access to the work place.
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