Civil Contingencies Act 2004
Civil Contingencies Legislation refers to the local authority’s duty to “assess, plan and advise” both in anticipation of, during and after an emergency incident. It provides a single framework for civil protection in the United Kingdom designed to meet the challenges of the 21st century. It will improve the UK’s ability to deal with the consequences of major disruptive incidents by improving the planning process at a local level, building better contacts between agencies and improving the link between local areas and central government.
The Civil Contingencies Act became law in April 2005. It replaces outdated Civil Defence legislation of 1948 and puts Emergency Planning on a proper statutory basis. The Act comprises the basis of emergency planning policy, and requires the Local Authority to:
- Assess the risk of an emergency occurring
- Maintain plans to make sure we can respond effectively to an emergency and continue to provide our services
- Publish risk assessments and plans
- Warn and inform the public
- Promote business continuity
The Act merely formalised many of the council’s existing arrangements; the responsibility to plan, respond, risk assess and share information amongst local responders.
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