Respond

During the immediate response to an emergency, the police will usually take a lead in co-coordinating the response.

Worcestershire County Council and the six constituent district councils may be called on to provide many different services in support of this response. Some of the services that the councils provide are listed below:

• Rest centres.
• Temporary housing.
• Road closures/diversions.
• Social and psychological support.
• Advice on building safety.
• Environmental health problems.

Emergencies present challenging command and control problems, most especially in communication and co-ordination, within and between organisations, as well as with other tiers of response (e.g. central Government and regional bodies).

Rest Centres

A number of centres can be opened up to support the community during an emergency.

During or following an emergency, it is sometimes necessary for people to be evacuated temporarily to a rest centre, which is usually away from the scene.

Rest centres are set up and staffed by the district councils in our county, with support from members of the County Volunteers Emergency Committee (CVEC), County Council staff, and others.

These organisations work together to provide a high standard of care within our rest centres and to ensure that they are safe, secure and welcoming places to be.

If an emergency requires people to be evacuated from their homes for a prolonged period of time, the district council can also assist in finding alternative accommodation. 

Survivor Reception Centre

This is a secure area in which survivors not requiring hospital treatment can be taken for short-term shelter and first aid. Information will usually be gathered by police documentation teams and interviews undertaken where necessary.

It may be established and run initially by the emergency services (who will be first on the scene). This type of centre is only likely to be open for a limited period of time, then may cease to operate, or be managed from that point as a rest centre.

Family and Friends Reception Centre

As the name suggests this centre is established for the family and friends of those involved in an emergency.

These are often set up jointly between the police, local authorities and other organisations at suitable locations to help reunite family and friends with survivors, and will also provide shelter and opportunities to register and interview family and friends.

Humanitarian Assistance Centres (HAC)

A one-stop-shop for survivors, families, friends and all those impacted by the emergency, through which they can access support, care and advice.

Will exist for a limited period, and ongoing support to survivors, families and affected communities will be provided through outreach groups established by local authorities.