A more resilient Wales: the role of volunteers in emergency response

1. Tim Davies
Emergency Management Officer
Cardiff Council

2. What am I covering?...
Community Resilience…
• Why the emphasis on communities?
• Inform and Warn not Warn and Inform.
• The work we do in Cardiff.
• The future!

3. Why?...
• “Public authorities alone cannot protect people from all
the consequences of disasters. Resilience at the
community level is crucial to maintaining safety and
wellbeing, with communities and individuals harnessing
local resources and expertise to help themselves.”
Local Government Group civil emergencies strategy
2010–2013

4. Why?…
RECOMMENDATION 70:
“The Government should establish a programme to support
and encourage individuals and communities to be better
prepared and more self-reliant during emergencies,
allowing the authorities to focus on those areas and people
in greatest need.”
Pitt Report into 2007 Gloucester Floods

5. Inform And Warn…
• We aim to highlight the risks to
communities so they can
prepare.
• Not just flooding although that
is the highest risk.
• Other risks, severe weather,
industrial sites, power outage,
etc.
• No good warning people if
they don’t know what the
warning is or what it is about!

6. Where did we start?...
• Spoke to whoever would listen!!
• Worked with partners especially Natural
Resources Wales as flood areas were the
initial target.
• Drop in sessions, existing groups, elected
members, interested public.
• Worked with communities to identify the
risks in their area and to develop
emergency plans.
• Highlight household and business planning
as well as community planning.

7. Who did/do we work with?...
• Partner agencies, NRW, voluntary agencies,
faith leaders, elected members, community
councils, council officers from several
departments…
But most importantly…
• The local people themselves, Mary in
Rhiwbina, Victor and Barry in Roath, Meredith
in Pontprennau, Helena in Riverside, Jan in
Pontcanna.
• Without their enthusiasm and interest we
couldn’t have done anything!

8. What did we say/do?…
Flooding;
• Provide maps of flood
areas
• Give guidance on further
information
• Advice on who to contact
Other;
• Highlight national, regional
and local risks.

9. Making plans generic…
• Plans made for flooding can be used for any emergency.
• Preparing for Emergencies

10. Where are we now?...
• 5 emergency plans active in Cardiff.
• Recognised as best practice by the Cabinet Office via
their website ‘Communities Prepared’.
• Highlighted in a report to Welsh Government by ‘Cynnal
Cymru’
• Continue to build on what we have.
• Continue to inform!

11. Workshop Questions…
1. Are you aware of the risks in your area flooding or
otherwise? List 4
2. Do you have a household emergency plan?
3. Are you currently involved in community planning?
4. If so with whom?
5. If not, have you considered it? Where would you start?
6. Who would you turn to for help?

12. Further information…
• Your Local Authority Emergency Planning Officer.
• Your local community or parish council.
• Natural Resources Wales
• Met Office
• Strategic National Framework on Community Resilience

13. Final Thought…

14. Thank You
02920 871838 or 07817 875343
timdavies@cardiff.gov.uk