Evacuation and Shelter
Evacuation is not a new concept for emergency planners. Over the years,
there have been countless successful evacuations. But recently, the context
for evacuation planning has altered. With climate change and building
taking place on flood plains, risks from flooding have increased. The
threat of terrorism has also raised the possibility of scenarios
unthinkable prior to the attacks of 11 September 2001.
New non-statutory Evacuation
and Shelter Guidance [PDF, 63 pages, 277KB] has
been produced by the Civil Contingencies Secretariat of the Cabinet Office
in response to calls from local responders and planners.
The guidance was developed in close consultation with a wide range of
stakeholders, including the Local Government Association (LGA), Association
of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) and
the Voluntary Sector Forum (VSF).
The guidance was also informed by two conferences
on evacuation and shelter held by CCS in London and Manchester in March
2006.
The Cabinet Office has also launched guidance to help the development of
local action plans for identifying groups of people who may be vulnerable
in an emergency. It is primarily intended for those who are involved in
local emergency planning for vulnerable groups, particularly those within a
Local Resilience Forum who have key leadership roles in the care of
vulnerable people in an emergency.
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