Getting ready for winter

The Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum (BLLRF) brings together police, fire, ambulance, local councils, health and government agencies, Bedfordshire businesses and risk and resilience consultants to plan for disasters and help businesses think about the unthinkable.

It was called civil defence in old money. Today their concern is not so much a thermonuclear exchange and a 10-megaton airburst over Cranfield airfield as weather conditions and resulting loss of power and food supplies. So that should get everyone's attention as the Arctic blasts gather.

See the following useful information and please spread it around...

Prepare for bad winter weather

and win a free Home Emergency Kit

What would you do if faced with natural disasters like a severe snowstorm or heavy rain? Or unnatural emergencies like a power cut or industrial accident? Helping you deal with major disasters locally is BLLRF (the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum) made up of the emergency services, local councils, hospitals and health agencies and a whole host of local voluntary groups working together.

BLLRF co-ordinates everyone who tackle emergencies, planning for the unthinkable to ensure they are ready to react swiftly and effectively to protect you, your family and home.

Local community organisations like the Royal Voluntary Service, Midshires Search and Rescue, the 4X4 owners club and Raynet, amateur radio enthusiasts, also get involved through the Bedfordshire and Luton Emergency Volunteers Executive Committee (BLEVEC).  You could also volunteer. The Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce and the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses also help plan for emergencies and encourage local businesses to prepare for their own crisis like fire, theft or supply chain problems.  See our Prepare your Business page for further information.

BLLRF’s website – www.bllrf.org.uk– is packed with help and advice so you can prepare for being cut off in your home by bad weather, separated from your family by a major incident or left without power for an extended period. Visit now to find out what you can do to protect yourself before winter sets in.

WIN a Home Emergency Kit!

BLLRF is now giving you the chance to win a free Home Emergency Kit that contains some essential things you’ll need if there’s an emergency like a power cut or severe snowfall. To enter our FREE prize draw just follow @what_would on Twitter, like us on facebook.com/whatwouldyoudoif or enter using the website’s contact page on the website. Entry closes at midnight, 2 February 2014 .

So visit www.bllrf.org.uk today to discover how to protect your home and family this winter.

Cranberry up a weekend in Cranfield

Ok, there's not much to do in Cranfield you say. It's Dull and it's Boring. Well not on Saturday 23 November with the plans for Operation Cranberry.

The Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum (www.bllrf.org.uk) will be holding this year's annual emergency Assistance Centre exercise (named Exercise Cranberry) at Cranfield.  

And you can take part...

CBC writes: "This will utilise Mitchell Hall and some other parts of Cranfield Airport. The exercise will take place on Sat 23rd November from 10:00 - 15:00. It will involve a Family and Friends Reception Centre being activated due to an aircraft incident. I am writing to let you know that it will be happening and as an invite to you, parish council members and any residents that would like to get involved I have attached the Assistance Centre Plan if you are interested in finding out more.

Mark Conway

Emergency Planning Officer

Public Protection

Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ

Direct Dial: 0300 300 4439  |  Internal ext: 74439  |  Mob: 07932 754598 Email: mark.conway@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

So, that's Sat 23 November taken care of. If you want to see the Assistance Centre Plan email cranfield1985@gmail.com and I'll forward it. It's a PDF and I can't put it on the blog.Contact CBC if you want to take part. 

Ready for the asteroid?

Are your ready when for when the asteroid lands on the airfield? Probably not many of us are and we don't think a lot about emergency planning in the village. But there is other stuff and recent cold, snowy winters could be am emergency for some. 

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.

This website is designed to provide you with information on how we prepare to protect you and advise you on how you can protect your family, business and community.

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.