UK emergency preparedness: a holistic response?

Abstract

Purpose -This paper aims to argue that to address the consequences of climate change and variability a greater focus on pre-emergency planning that engages a wider stakeholder group must be adopted.Design/methodology/approach -The paper discusses UK emergency management and approaches to climate change and climate variability risk.Findings -The internal focus of UK emergency management inhibits the contribution that it can make to societal resilience and public preparedness. Effective risk reduction requires that all actors, including the public, are engaged in the social learning process. From a UK emergency management perspective this requires a culture shift to an outward proactive focus.Originality/value -This paper offers insights into emergency preparedness in the UK.

Health and social impacts of a flood disaster: responding to needs and implications for practice

“…Paton and Johnston (2001), discussing vulnerability and resilience in disasters generally, and O'Brien (2008), discussing flooding in the UK, both point to the need for the empower ment of local communities and their involvement in risk awareness, preparedness for events, risk reduction, and developing individual and community resilience. O'Brien (2008) suggests that, as well as the need for a topdown approach, there is also a need for a bottomup approach and for collaboration with local stakeholders, such as householders and businesses. Involving local stakeholders in identifying risks and solutions will help to build resilience.…”

“…While the weather conditions in Cumbria were exceptional during the 2005 floods, there is growing concern that climate change is increasing the risk of flooding and floods are likely to become more common (Few et al, 2004;IPCC, 2007;O'Brien, 2008). The widespread floods in 2007 in Yorkshire and the Midlands in the UK may be evidence of this.…”

Disaster risk reduction legislations: Is there a move from events to processes?

“…However, Local Resilience Forums are neither legal entities nor do they have powers to direct their members. Also, while Local Resilience Forums have created Community Risk Registers in which potential risks are identified, there is lack of clarity in the guidance on what should be made public (O'Brien, 2008). However, there is little if any connection between Community Risk Registers with the National Risk Register, as these are constructed independent of each other.…”

“…In the United Kingdom, more intriguing is the absence of broadscale community involvement (O'Brien, 2008). Rather, the focus has been on institutional capacity of mainly Category 1 responders (police, fire and ambulance services) and to a lesser extent Category 2 responders (such as water, electricity, gas and communications providers).…”

Assessing the Extent to Which the UK’s National Risk Register Supports Local Risk Management

“…We then present the methods, results, and discussion before going on to conclude. international agreements [5,12,23] as well as learning from previous local emergency responses [24]. Although not an exhaustive list, the following publications provide a snapshot that may help to address the many barriers to risk and resilience decision making and management with specific focus on UK national and local levels.…”