To help local communities in severe weather or during a major incident, like a power cut or evacuation, the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum (BLLRF) are looking for volunteers to set up local Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) and help minimise the consequences of potential disasters.
BLLRF brings together Police, Fire, Ambulance, local councils, health and government agencies, local businesses and resilience consultants to prepare and plan for disasters before they happen.
CERTs will be the key contact for emergency planning and community preparations for major incidents, helping create a Community Emergency Plan for their area and assisting locally when an emergency occurs.
Mark Conway, Emergency Planning Officer for Central Bedfordshire Council states:
“This is not about creating or identifying a new community network, or a one-off response to an incident,” says “but developing existing community networks and personal relationships. Think about what already exists around you, who you already talk to, and how you could work together before, during and after an incident. Existing local community networks and groups would be an excellent place to start building a group to be prepared for a local emergency.”
“This could be anything from helping clear snow and ice from vulnerable people’s drives during a severe winter to checking people are alright if the power is cut off for a long period or manning evacuation centres if there’s a major fire. Local people can assist the emergency services by providing support and local knowledge during emergencies and helping their communities get back on their feet after a crisis.”
Free emergency training is available every month in the evenings for anyone with an interest in emergency response.
If you are interested or able to help in any way, please contact us now by sending an email to communityresilience@bllrf.org.uk or calling 0300 300 4145.
To find out more visit https://www.bllrf.org.uk/home/
A Local Resilience Forum is a statutory body covering a police force area, designed to bring together category 1 and 2 responders for multi-agency co-operation and information sharing. Under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004) every part of the United Kingdom is required to establish a Local Resilience Forum.
The Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum was formed in 2004. It brings together the emergency services, local authorities, National Health Service and other agencies which are all required to respond to any major emergency in Bedfordshire and Luton.
As well as dealing with the aftermath of an emergency, all services and organisations work together to ensure that the best possible plans are in place. These are regularly tested and updated so that agencies can respond immediately and effectively to any threat. All responders work to a set of common objectives, which will help to:
- prevent the disaster getting worse
- save life
- relieve suffering
- restore normality as soon as possible
- protect property
- facilitate a criminal investigation and judicial process if necessary.
Definition of Category 1 and 2 responders:
Category 1 responders: Core responders that are likely to be heavily involved in most major incidents. They have a duty to share information and co-operate with other Category 1 and 2 responders. They also attend the local resilience forum(s) in their area.Category 2 responders: Co-operating responders that are likely to be involved in some emergencies. They share information with Category 1 responders. They can attend the local resilience forum on a right-to-attend, right-to-invite basis.
Click here for a list of Category 1 and 2 responders that form the Bedfordshire & Luton Local Resilience Forum.
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