Introducing NSCWIP
Since 1995 the National Steering Committee on Warning & Informing the Public (NSC) has existed as a partnership of central and local government, emergency services, public utilities, industry, the media and professional organisations. Its chair David Hay stresses that is dedicated to a single aim of:
"encouraging improvements in the arrangements for warning members of the public of an imminent or actual threat to life, health or property and to inform them of the appropriate action to take."
During this period the NSC has produced a national video entitled Go In, Stay In, Tune In, which was launched by the Minister of State at the Home Office at the national Emergency Planning Conference in July 2000. We have also helped to raise awareness of public warning/information issues within the emergency planning community.
Our work has progressed to such a degree that members are now able to identify a number of issues that we believe require further attention at a national level. These issues are associated with:
- The absence of clear statutory responsibilities for warning the public during many types of incidents
- The lack of a national culture of awareness amongst the public of how to respond to large-scale emergencies
- The ability to warn both a static and transient population at all times of day and night
- The need to influence developing information and communication technology so that it can be more effectively used to warn and inform members of the public
We acknowledge that there have been improvements in public warning and information systems in some local areas where there are identified hazardous locations, and nationally to deal with flooding. However, the Committee is concerned that that there are still inadequate arrangements and inconsistencies in many areas, and is aware that the reality does not meet with public expectations.
In 2001 we recognised that as Central Government is currently reviewing the national arrangements for Emergency Planning in England & Wales it provided an opportune time for the Committee led by its previous chair, David Moses, to produce its interim report.
We have identified a number of potential solutions and improvements and these are detailed throughout the report and our eighteen recommendations. Some require more research to develop technical specifications or a business case to demonstrate why investment should be made. Others require the identification and dissemination of good practise, whilst some may need Government to change or introduce new license requirements for the telecommunication and broadcast media.
Since the 11th September terrorist attacks in the United States of America, the Committee has worked with the Government to develop proposals for four work themes. We recognise that these will go some way to meeting many of our recommendations and are committed to working together with colleagues in the Cabinet Office to achieve this.
