Community Emergency Plan
Community Emergency Plan
Rusper Parish Council's Community Emergency Plan provides support, advice, and guidance to the local community both in advance of and during any significant emergency or major incident.
Although not required by law, Parish Councils can play a vital role during and after any significant emergency or major incident. This Community Emergency Plan is designed to complement those of emergency responders (emergency services and Horsham District Council).
By planning in advance, Rusper Parish Council can help coordinate local response activities. By being prepared and being able to respond to an emergency can often help people recover more quickly and make communities more resilient.
Vulnerable Residents in The Parish
There are people in all communities that are seen as potentially vulnerable in an emergency or crisis. For example, children, the elderly, those with mobility difficulties, those who receive care from relatives (this list is not exhaustive).
Many of our vulnerable residents will be known to existing service providers (people who live or are present in vulnerable establishments such as schools, nursing homes or day centres).
There will be others who, for a variety of reasons, are more difficult to identify – such as those who live in the community as individuals, visitors to the area or the homeless. Contingency arrangements are needed to ensure they are not overlooked. Therefore, Rusper Parish Council will hold a list of vulnerable individuals in the Parish. So, if we are faced with a local emergency, we can ensure that we help those who need it most.
If you know of anyone in the Parish who you deem as vulnerable and would like to include them on our confidential list, please contact the Parish Clerk on 07904 371520 or email us [email protected].
How Can You Help?
Calling all Businesses and Voluntary Groups and Individuals! Can you help your community in an emergency? Are you able to offer valuable assistance at such times, such as:
Checking on vulnerable people
Collecting provisions and prescriptions
Distributing water
Helping move property and furniture
Clear snow or trees (you may own a chainsaw or 4X4)
Provide shelter or food and drinks
Qualified Medical assistance during an emergency
The above list is not exhaustive but gives an indication of the kind of things that we think we can do to help people affected by an emergency.
If you are able to help email us at [email protected], letting us know your contact details and the skills or resources you have that could help the community in an emergency.
We understand circumstances change, so there is no obligation to help. What it means is that you may receive a call to find out if the assistance you have offered is still available and if you are able to help.
West Sussex County Council has prepared a wealth of information about how to best prepare yourself for an emergency. There is also a Household Emergency Plan that can be downloaded.
Priority Services Register
Vulnerable residents can join Priority Service Registers for water and energy. These registers are free, and it means vulnerable residents will get extra support when needed.
South East Water Priority Services Register or call 0333 000 2468
Southern Water Priority Services Register or call 0800 027 0800
SES Water Priority Services Register or call 01737 772000
UK Power Networks Priority Services Register (for power cuts) or call 0800 169 9970
Thames Water Priority Services Register or call 0800 980 8800
The Vice Chairman of the Parish Council will take the lead in co-ordinating local resources during emergencies, and will be supported by the Clerk and the Chairman.
If you know of anyone in the Parish who you deem as vulnerable and would like to include them on our confidential list, please contact us.
Let us know your contact details and the skills or resources you have that could help the community in an emergency, please contact us.
List of Organisations
List of Organisations that may be helpful in Communicating with Vulnerable People or Communities:
0300 028 8888
[email protected]
Age UK West Sussex Brighton and Hove
0800 019 1310
[email protected]
National advice line
0800 6781602
A list of utilities and useful contacts
Electric
Electricity National Power Cut Phone Line 105 Free of charge
National Grid 0800 6783105
Gas
National Gas Emergency Service 0800 111 999 (to report a leak or if you smell gas)
Gas Southern Gas Networks 0800 912 1700
Water
0333 000 0365 24/7 helpline
Flooding Floodline Telephone: 0345 988 1188
Textphone: 0345 602 6340
24-hour service
Other
Environment Agency
Incident hotline Telephone: 0800 80 70 60 24-hour service
