This plan has been prepared by The County Emergency Planning Officer following consultation between the County Council, District/Borough Councils, the Emergency Services, Voluntary Agencies and other relevant agencies.
All organisations, or agencies, with an interest in emergency and major incident planning have contributed to the production of this plan under the auspices of the Northamptonshire Liaison Process. The district emergency plans are supplementary to the Northamptonshire Emergency Plan and they should be read in conjunction with this plan. This is in order to provide a unified and consistent approach to emergency planning throughout the county.
The arrangements described in the plan represent best practice consistent with the aims and needs of partner agencies and the local environment. Additionally, the aims and objectives conform and are generally embodied with the Home Office publication of 'Dealing with Disaster' together with the Civil Contingencies Secretariat (CSS) objectives.
Every effort is made to improve the plan and keep it up to date, therefore changes and amendments will be made periodically and all those holding copies should ensure amendments are acted upon as soon as possible. Similarly any changes within partner agencies should be notified to Northamptonshire Emergency Planning as soon as possible.
Aim of the plan
The Northamptonshire Emergency Plan (NEP) has been prepared for use in the event of a major incident being declared within Northamptonshire. The aim is to provide a framework of procedures to enable a quick and effective response to mitigate the effects of any emergency on the public and the environment. It may be implemented in full or in part in the event of ANY serious emergencies that require a response by the local authorities.
The main purpose of the plan is to:
- Mitigate the effect of an emergency on the people within the affected area.
- Describe the agreed arrangements and procedures for the effective management, co-ordination of efforts of the emergency services, local authorities, voluntary organisations and other agencies in response to an emergency incident
- Assist any of the partners to manage a major emergency whilst continuing to provide their normal services at an appropriate level.
Objectives of the plan
The objectives of this plan are:
- to have an alert and callout system in place
- to have effective liaison with all agencies who have a role to play in an emergency
- To help provide appropriate care and assistance to the community during and after an emergency incident
- To co-ordinate the response of the public, private and voluntary sectors
Concept/rationale
Emergency plans are specific or generic. Where a known risk exists, e.g. certain industrial sites and underground pipelines, a specific plan can be made which will identify the potential scenario, options and actions that can be taken. Other actions will be the same regardless of the incident or nature of the incident. A generic plan addresses an action, such as evacuation, is necessary but is not specific to that site or incident type.
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