Emergency Planning

The Parish of Stockton maintains Emergency Plans in conjunction with the District Council Emergency Planning Unit, which are published in two volumes - The Emergency Plan and The Emergency Manual.

The Plan sets out the principles and guidelines for actions to be initiated in the event of an Emergency, and The Manual provides the details of locations to be used and contact numbers for all key stakeholders.

It should be remembered that in normal circumstances, the District Council and County Council resources will be utilised to respond to the effects of a major incident. However, it is the Parish Council that will serve as a focal point within the community and could be a direct line into the community for the Emergency Planning Unit.

In an emergency, the Emergency Planning Unit will contact the Parish Council as necessary to discuss ways in which the Council might assist. This ' role' could include:
- Providing "local knowledge" for the Emergency Services
- Establishing a co-ordinating link with Parish/Town Councillors and local Voluntary Groups as necessary
- Relaying information and instructions to the local community
- Providing information about persons who may have special problems during an emergency i.e. the elderly and the infirm
- Ensuring that any premises owned by the Council which may be required for emergency use are available, e.g. the village hall
- Assisting and organising local help if required to set up evacuation centres, feeding centres, information and enquiry points

The Emergency Plan sets out useful information for both the Emergency Planning Unit and the Parish Council for use in an emergency. The trigger for the agencies mentioned within this plan will be mainly through the Emergency Planning Unit as they will be co-ordinating the local authority response to the incident.