Which organisations are responsible for responding to emergencies?
The new act has identified two categories of organisations that are responsible for planning for emergencies. Category One organisations include: • Police, Ambulance, Fire & Rescue services and the Maritime Coastguard Agency • county, unitary and district councils • the Environment Agency, the Health Protection Agency and Primary and Acute Care Trusts. These organisations are responsible for: • assessing the risk of an emergency in their area • identifiying priorities to develop plans • training programmes and emergency exercises • developing ways to warn and inform the public • planning how they will continue to deliver critical services. Local authorities have an additional duty to promote business continuity within the community and with voluntary organisations. Category Two organisations include: • utility companies (gas, phone and electricity suppliers) • ports and transport providers • the Strategic Health Authority – each strategic health authority is responsible for the co-ordi
