Different communities face different issues, and have
different strengths and ideas about how to tackle them. So, your
Community Emergency Plan will be unique to your
community.
It is very important that you:
- Talk to people in your community who have resources that they
can use to help.
- Talk to your local authority to make sure that what you are
planning fits in with the 'big picture' of how your local emergency
responders would act in an emergency.
- You can get good advice on sources of funding from your local
Third Sector Interface
Your local authority can provide
invaluable help. It is a good initial contact that can put you in
touch with the key people locally. Local authority contact
details are provided here.
Good practice example: Scottish Borders
Council's 'Resilient Communities' initiative is supporting local
community councils to develop plans which will identify how
community members can come together to look after each other in an
emergency. Importantly, part of the approach in Borders is to make
sure that there are clear lines of communication between the
council and community members when an emergency occurs.
You may also find it helpful to talk to people in other
community groups which have developed emergency plans. If you
contact the Scottish Government, we can put you in touch
with another community group that has already put a plan
together.
Good practice example: The Scottish Flood Forum
has helped several communities in Scotland to set up Community
Flood Groups. These groups have helped communities threatened by
flooding or severe weather to become more resilient. They have
agreed with Community Councils and local authorities to find
solutions that work in local communities, and contributions that
local people can safely make. Further information is
available from the Scottish
Flood Forum.
There may also be sources of funding available to help you to
produce your plan. Sources of funding vary from place to place and
over time. A good source of information and advice for funding for
community groups is the Scottish Council for Voluntary
Organisations.
You may also get good advice on sources of funding from your
local Third Sector Interface. Third Sector Interface
contact details are provided here.
National Voluntary Sector Contacts
The voluntary sector works closely with the 'blue light'
services and other local and national organisations to respond to
emergency events. Voluntary sector organisations provide a range of
skills and services, including practical support, equipment and
information.
The Scottish Government has produced
The Voluntary Emergency Responders Guide - Scotland to provide
information for statutory emergency response organisations on the
national voluntary sector organisations whose core functions
include emergency response work.