Communities in Northumberland and Tyne and Wear now have access to comprehensive plans for responding to flooding, wildfires, and other major incidents, thanks to the newly introduced Community Risk Register.
The Northumbria Local Resilience Forum (LRF) is a collaborative partnership comprising emergency services, local authorities, hospitals, health organisations, and various public and private entities across the North East. Each region has its own LRF, ensuring a coordinated and effective response to incidents that affect communities.
Much of the LRF's work happens behind the scenes, with agencies conducting tests and exercises to prepare their staff for potential incidents in urban and rural areas. These incidents could range from mass power outages and storms to wildfires and pandemics, among other high-impact events.
The Community Risk Register details the incidents identified as higher risks and provides information on how communities can prepare for them.
The Chair of the Northumbria LRF, Chief Fire Officer Peter Heath of Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), said the pandemic and recent extreme weather events demonstrate the value in communities being prepared.
He said: "All the agencies represented in the LRF want to reassure our communities that we prepare for all eventualities and as a region our plans are well tested and co-ordinated.
"Whatever the incident, we will be there to prioritise risk to life and ensure those in need receive the appropriate response from the appropriate agency.”
"In recent years we have seen Storm Arwen cause widespread disruption in our rural communities, wildfires lead to widespread destruction of nature reserves and a global pandemic that changed life as we know it.
"The LRF was at the heart of our regional response but these are incidents that impacted on all communities and each incident has taught us a lesson in it's own right.
"One main theme is the preparedness of our communities, and how often residents will mobilise themselves to ensure the most vulnerable among us are supported. That community cohesion is what makes our region so great.
"Through the Community Risk Register residents can better prepare themselves for some of those high risk incidents.
"As a partnership, we will be communicating advice and guidance on those risks identified in the register throughout the year so keep your eyes out and help us keep our communities safe."
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