Assessing the risks

First of all, we assess the risks in the area. This is done by reviewing the National Risk Register and checking for more local risks. We assist with the preparation of Emergency Risk Assessments as part of the Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum.

Emergency planning

The collective group of risk assessments form the Thames Valley Community Risk Register. Plans are then prepared to address the consequences of the risks. On some occasions Thames Valley wide plans are prepared and all members of the local resilience forum work to the same 'multiagency' plan to improve consistency and response to the emergency. Some emergencies however, require a plan to be prepared at local level.

Once we've prepared a plan, we identify all staff who may be expected to play a role in that plan, and develop a training package to ensure our staff are competent to respond to the emergency.

Emergency exercises

Finally, simulated emergency exercises are undertaken to allow our staff to test the plans. Sometimes these tests are 'live' and will involve roll out of staff and emergency equipment, and on other occasions a hypothetical scenario is used at a 'table top' exercise.

As a result of an emergency exercise or a real incident there may be valuable learning points to consider so a 'de-brief' is undertaken to extract all valuable learning points from those staff and agencies involved. These learning points are then used to modify future versions of emergency plans.