EMERGENCY PLANNING
ONE of the important responsibilities undertaken by local authorities is to help in the preparation of contingency plans to meet the unexpected.
Here in Sussex emergency planning is a subject taken very seriously.
All the heads of our front line services, police, fire, ambulance and coastguard, meet regularly to ensure that proper plans are in place to meet any threat that might be posed to local people. Working alongside them there are 15 emergency planning officers, including one for the Horsham District, who supervise action plans which cover each district in fine detail.
These officers meet monthly to assess the latest problems, to update their plans and to ensure that everyone is ready to work in unison should the need arise.
Much of their planning revolves around how we would deal with the effects of extreme weather conditions, flooding, disruption caused to essential services or a major catastrophe of some type. Well tested plans are in place ready to provide immediate help and temporary housing if required.
Another Council role is encouraging others to have recovery programmes in place, especially the business sector, voluntary groups and parishes, so that life can go as normal in the event of a major incident.
All households can play a part in being prepared for the unforeseen. In winter some preparations can be made by keeping supplies of tinned foods, bottled water, propane gas, extra blankets and batteries for the radio. Vehicles also need to be properly readied for winter conditions. In such circumstances, local people can also really help by checking that neighbours - including the elderly, infirm or very young - are getting adequate heating and that food and drinking water is available to them.
We have not experienced a serious calamity in the Horsham District since the hurricane of October 16, 1987, when the rescue services stepped in with great speed and efficiency. Much was learned from that event and our emergency planners today are even better informed and even better prepared.
More information is available from the Emergency Planning Office on (01403) 215125.