Most emergencies can be dealt with by the emergency services - police, fire and rescue and ambulance.
However, some emergencies are so large, have such an impact or are so long-running that other organisations such as Rugby Borough Council need to be involved in the response; for example, widespread flooding, major transport accidents, animal health diseases and major fires.
The council's work in this area is governed by legislation - the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA). An emergency as defined by the CCA is:
"An event or situation which threatens serious damage to human welfare in a place in the UK, the environment of a place in the UK, or war or terrorism which threatens serious damage to the security of the UK."
The CCA requires Rugby Borough Council as a Category 1 Responder to undertake seven duties. These are:
- Assess risk
- Create emergency plans
- Communicate with the public
- Co-operate with other responding organisations
- Share information with other agencies
- Make our own business continuity arrangements
- Promote business continuity to local businesses