The Northamptonshire Emergency Plan provides an overall generic response and liaison process to an incident and these procedures need to be followed for an effective and efficient response.

Above and beyond this plan, there are specific plans which govern the response to specific incidents. These plans are briefly highlighted below (full plans are held by County Emergency Planning and controlled copies are distributed to the relevant agencies).

List of specific plans

CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear incidents)

This protocol is based on the working arrangements and incident management structure embodied in the Northamptonshire Emergency Plan (NEP) and is a joint working agreement for dealing with actual or suspected terrorist CBRN incidents, between:

• Northamptonshire Police
• Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service
• Two Shires Ambulance NHS Trust
• Northamptonshire Emergency Planning
• Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust
• Kettering General Hospital NHS Trust
• Northamptonshire Health Authority

It has been produced as an interim local measure whilst regional and national plans are being developed. It outlines the co-ordinated emergency response. It will be periodically revised and may be updated as developments occur.

COMAH - Scott Bader

This Off-Site Emergency Plan is produced by The Emergency Planning Team in consultation with the following:

• Scott Bader Company Limited
• Health and Safety Executive
• Northamptonshire Police
• Northamptonshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service
• Two Shires Ambulance NHS Trust
• Northamptonshire Health Authority
• Wellingborough Borough Council

The purpose of the plan is to enable those concerned to be aware of the potential for hazard and to provide for those dealing with the off-site effects of an incident, information to enable them to expedite such actions as may be necessary. Relevant agencies have their internal response plans, details of which are not addressed herein except for the purpose of coordination. The plan is designed to be used be used in conjunction with the main body of the Northamptonshire Local Authorities Emergency Plan (NLAEP).

Landfill sites plan

The purpose of this plan is to inform those concerned of:

• the potential hazards associated with landfill sites
• background information relevant to landfill sites
• the location of landfill sites within the county
• emergency contact details and access to specialist advice.

All known landfill sites in the county have been assessed for the presence of landfill gas. Where appropriate remedial measures have be taken such as borehole venting. This plan lists all active sites, other than those taking inert waste only and in addition closed sites that have the potential to give off landfill gas. Closed inert waste sites have not been included.

Temporary mortuary plan

This plan has been produced as part of the Northamptonshire Emergency Plan to assist those responsible for establishing and managing a temporary mortuary. It draws heavily upon and reflects the advice given in the report of the National Working Party Dealing with Fatalities During Disasters (IBSN 1-874321-094).

Any incident involving five or more fatalities may require a temporary mortuary. There is no precise criteria and early consideration of the needs relating to the incident and constraints of existing provisions must be given and a decision made whether to activate a temporary mortuary.

Animal diseases plan

The purpose of the plan is to provide a co-ordinated response by the County Council and other agencies to deal with an outbreak of any one of the exotic notifiable animal diseases.

The aim is to facilitate the containment and eradication of the disease.

Media plan

The purpose of this plan is to implement an effective media management strategy to inform the public about the event and the local authority response and services and to promote good public relations.

Radiation plan

Under the Public Information for Radiation Emergencies Regulations 1992 (PIRER '92) (paragraph 4) the County Council has a duty to prepare and keep up to date arrangements to supply in the event of a radiation emergency information of and advice on the facts of the emergency, of the steps to be taken and, as appropriate, of the health protection measures applicable in accordance with the regulations (schedule 3).

Although nuclear facilities are designed to ensure that accidents affecting the public are highly unlikely, such accidents have happened. Accidents may possibly occur during the transportation of radioactive material and there is also the risk of nuclear-powered satellites crashing to earth.

Multi faiths major incident plan

This plan sets out how the Churches Together in All Northamptonshire organise pastoral care at the scene, or other location as determined by the nature of the incident.

Whilst the plan has been prepared predominately by the Christian churches, it nevertheless caters for a response by other faiths represented in the county or travelling through.

Emergency public information

The purpose of this plan is to provide a guide to the action to be taken in the event of the Emergency Public Information Service being activated. The plan may be implemented in whole, or, in part, depending upon the particular circumstances leading to the emergency.

The Northamptonshire Emergency Plan lays down that the Libraries Service will provide the necessary measures to establish an Emergency Public Information Service in the event of an emergency being declared.

Pipeline plan

The aim of this plan is to detail the actions taken by the Local Authorities, Emergency Services, Pipeline Operator and certain other agencies to minimise the effects caused to persons, property and the environment by a major accident involving a designated pipeline in Northamptonshire.

Reception centre plan

This plan deals with the provision of basic welfare (shelter, food and clothing) for evacuees or uninjured victims of an incident.

Transport plan

The aim is to provide suitable transport to facilitate the movement of large numbers of people from an incident area to a reception centre and/or the provision of heavy plant or machinery in response to an incident.

Severe weather plan

The Midlands area of Britain, being the furthest area from the sea can be subject to severe weather conditions. These conditions can last for varying periods of time. This plan can be used in full or part, depending on the severity of the conditions, to avert the probability of severe disruption to the authorities activities by use of the resources available at the time.

Flood plan

The purpose of this plan is to provide a framework under which the Northamptonshire Local Authorities and Emergency Services and certain other agencies will respond to incidents of flooding, or threat of flooding, from any cause or source, whether or not a flood warning has been issued. It is made under the agreed terms, general arrangements and responsibilities given in the NEP. 

Town centre evacuation plans

The aim of this document is to provide guidance on roles of agencies involved when dealing with a mass evacuation within Town Centres in Northamptonshire. The main objectives to this plan are:

• to show activation and alerting procedures
• to show roles and responsibilities of agencies
• to designate reception centres
• to zone the town centre into Exclusion Zones
• to identify population figures, vulnerable persons and intrinsic areas at risk within the exclusion zones
• to identify Evacuation Assembly Points

Feeding plan

To make available a feeding service required where people have been made homeless, evacuated for a prolonged period, or, are subject to prolonged disruption of gas or electricity supplies.

COMAH

To list sites previously notified under the NIHHS and CIMAH Regulations which may fall within the scope of the COMAH Regulations in due course.