Emergency plan
Civil Emergency Procedures
In the event of an emergency incident, the Council’s Civil Emergency Plan will be activated to co-ordinate the response of the Council and other non emergency service agencies/organisations. These procedures also detail the council's responses to particular events such as:
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Attack (CBRN) Communicable Disease & Food Outbreaks Loss of Fire Brigade Cover Marine Pollution Restriction of Essential Supplies Transportation Accidents Waterborne Hazards Severe Weather
Community Risk Register
The Strathclyde Emergencies Co-ordinating Group has created a community risk register of risks that have been identified within the Strathclyde area. This register can be accessed via the Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Service website at: http://www.strathclydefire.org/
Exotic Notifiable Animal Diseases Plan
Influenza (Avian)
Avian influenza, or 'bird flu', is a highly contagious disease of birds, caused by influenza A viruses. Domestic poultry are highly susceptible.
"It is important to underline that the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, now reported in southern Europe, is essentially a disease of birds and poultry. The risk to human health only arises in persons in very close contact with infected birds." DEFRA Statement, 20 October 2005
Foot & Mouth Outbreak
A joint plan prepared by Strathclyde Emergencies Co-ordinating Group containing arrangements and procedures for the response to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in this area.
Loss of 999 Service Plan
A joint plan prepared by the Strathclyde Emergencies Co-ordination Group containing arrangements and procedures for the response to an assistance to be given by local authorities if the 999 system were to fail for any length of time.
Rabies Outbreak Control Plan
Details the requirements of the 12 authorities and emergency services within the Strathclyde Police area to mitigate the effects of a rabies outbreak.
Repatriation Procedures
These procedures are currently being prepared to allow local authorities to manage the repatriation of citizens who have been involved in incidents abroad.
Major Incident Mortuaries
Will, once complete, detail the area wide arrangements for establishing and operating a major incident mortuary within the Strathclyde Police area.
Scottish Water - Waterborne Hazards Plan
This Scottish Water Plan aims to ensure that a framework is provided for the management of a co-ordinated approach to any potential or actual event likely to give rise to a waterborne contamination incident associated with the public water supply.
East Renfrewshire Council Pandemic Influenza Response Arrangements
Contains the necessary arrangements and procedures that will be implemented to allow the Health Boards and the local authority to continue to provide services in the face of absenteeism resulting from a pandemic of influenza and the arrangements for the council to contribute to the West of Scotland response to mitigate the effects of a pandemic.
UK Response to Pandemic Flu
The UK Pandemic Influenza Contingency Plan was published in October 2005. It sets out specific measures and actions required from health and other government departments and organisations at national and local levels to support an effective response to a flu pandemic.
Plans Required by Legislation
COMAH - Control of Major Accident Hazards
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) regulates hazardous sites under the Control of Major Accident Hazards (COMAH) Regulations 1999, and establishes a duty on such sites to prepare for emergencies.
The COMAH Regulations came into force on 1 April 1999 and are amended by the Control of Major Accident Hazards (Amendment) Regulations 2005 from 30 June 2005. COMAH applies mainly to the chemical industry, but also to some storage activities, explosives and nuclear sites, and other industries where threshold quantities of dangerous substances identified in the Regulations are kept or used.
The aim of the regulations is to prevent and mitigate the effects on people and the environment of those major incidents involving dangerous substances.
The local authority, in whose area there is an establishment, is required to prepare an emergency plan (in these Regulations referred to as an "Off-site emergency plan") in respect of that establishment.
Whilst the Regulations make this the responsibility of East Renfrewshire Council, these plans are prepared jointly with the site operator and members of the SECG.
There are two levels of application of COMAH, low tier and top tier. Low tier sites are required to submit a safety report and on-site emergency plans to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Top tier sites are not only required to submit a safety report and an on-site plan, but must also provide the local authority with information to enable it to produce an off-site emergency response plan. Presently no COMAH sites are located within East Renfrewshire
For further information: Health and Safety Executive COMAH
Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996
Pipeline carrying dangerous substances are identified by the Health and Safety Executive. There is a statutory duty on the council to prepare plans to deal with a major accident occurring from these.
Major Accident Hazard Pipeline is a pipeline that transports a flammable liquid, chemical substance or gas. Pipelines are considered one of the safest modes of transport for conveying hazardous substances; the likelihood of an explosion in a natural gas pipeline in the UK is low. However, the loss of containment following a pipeline fracture or accidental release could have disastrous consequences; measures are therefore taken to reduce the risks they pose.
The Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996 ensure that the design, construction, installation, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning of pipelines is to a very high safety standard.
Under these regulations the Council’s Civil contingency Manager, in partnership with other SECG partners has produced an emergency plan which is maintained and exercised on a three yearly cycle which details the action to be taken to minimise the consequences to the health and safety of people in the event of an emergency involving the major accident hazard pipeline
The procedure for the reporting of gas leaks by any member of the public who, if they should smell gas or if they suspect a gas leak, should immediately contact:
Scotia Gas Network's 24-hour Emergency Telephone Number - 0800 111 999
For further information: Office of Public Sector Information Pipelines Safety Regulations 1996
REPPIR (17)
Regulation 17 of the Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2001 (REPPIR) which came into force on 20th September 2001, is made under the European Communities Act 1972.
Regulation 17 applies to ALL local authorities irrespective of the rest of REPPIR, and it relates to general duties on local authorities to have arrangements in place to provide information to the public with regard to any kind of radiation emergency.
A draft is being produced by East Renfrewshire Council to ensure that members of the public affected by a radiation emergency are given relevant information regarding the emergency, measures to protect their health and details of any co-operation required if health protection measures are to be implemented.
Public Advice In The Event of Major Chemical/Hazardous Material Incident
In the event of an accident regarding pipelines the following emergency action should be followed unless otherwise informed by a member of the emergency services:
Go indoors unless there is an obvious risk to the property, close doors and windows and shut down ventilation systems if it is safe to do so.
Stay indoors until you know more about the situation and the appropriate action you need to take to protect yourself further.
Tune in to a local radio station.