Clackmannanshire Council Online

Launch of Ground Breaking Mutual Aid Partnership in Forth Valley

Chief Officers from the Central Scotland Emergency Services and the three Local Authorities who are members of the Central Scotland Strategic Coordinating Group met with Voluntary Sector emergency responders on Friday 27th July 2012 at the Central Scotland Police Headquarters, Randolphfield, Stirling, to formally sign a memorandum of understanding between both groups to work together in preparation for and during emergencies within the Forth Valley area.

Mr Kenneth Taylor, Chief Fire Officer for CSFRS and chair of the SCG said: "Within CSSCG we have long since recognised that our partners within the voluntary sector play a significant role in supporting key responder agencies in times of community need. They have access to a rich stream of well trained and willing volunteer staff across a range of disciplines and we very much welcome the development of this MOU in attempting to better what is already very good in providing appropriate and balanced response to events that threaten our communities."

Mr Derek Penman, Chief Constable for CSP said: "The valuable contribution made by the voluntary sector in times of emergencies affecting our communities has always been acknowledged. This initiative however enhances that commitment by ensuring our voluntary sector partners are fully integrated into all aspects of our SCG's multi-agency planning, training, response and recovery processes."

Helen Bath, Operations Director British Red Cross & chair of the voluntary sector coordinating group said "Until now, the training and exercising of voluntary organisations for emergency response has not really been co-ordinated. This memorandum of understanding gives the Central Scotland SCG voluntary sector partners the opportunity to combine resources, engage in joint training and work more effectively together in the event of major emergencies."

It is generally recognised by those involved in emergency response and civil contingency planning that there are many elements of the voluntary sector that can and do play an important role in fulfilling and supporting capability during times of crisis.
It is therefore considered best practice to have them fully engaged in civil contingencies activities and an inherent part of the integrated emergency management process. The Pitt Report into the Gloucester flooding emphasised "the crucial role that private and voluntary sector organisations can play".

In 2007, the Central Scotland Strategic Coordinating Group established a voluntary agencies group which has developed into the present day Voluntary Sector Coordinating Group (VSCG).

To ensure resilient coordination of this group, especially during emergencies a single point of contact process was adopted in 2010 and used very effectively during recent emergencies, especially the 2011 severe weather events. Deploying VSCG resources through a single point allows the voluntary sector to enhance its offer to Central Scotland SCG since it employs the resources and specialist skills of all members of the VSCG providing a sustainable capacity and integrated capability to complement and augment the resources of the statutory agencies.

To provide clarity to the 'single point of contact' process, this Memorandum of Understanding has been produced, which aligns the VSCG key purpose with that of the Central Scotland SCG which seeks to reduce the impact of emergencies on the community and by doing so improve the resilience of all the communities the SCG & VSCG serve.

This may be the first such agreement anywhere in the UK but hopefully not the last.

Notes to Editors

1. Central Scotland Strategic Coordinating Group (SCG) - In Scotland, there are eight strategic co-ordinating groups based on police force areas. Their remit is to provide resilient multi agency coordination at emergencies within Forth Valley and to promote effective contingency planning for all types of incident; making generic and specific emergency plans; engaging with the community; training; exercising and reviewing contingencies for emergencies.
2. Gloucester flooding (2007) - http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/publications/33889.aspx
3. Single Point of Contact Scheme - An emergency service requiring support, specialist resources or expertise from within the voluntary sector community in Forth Valley calls a single phone number and speaks to the VSCG duty officer who will work with the emergency service to identify the specific requirements, identify them from within the VSCG and activate and coordinate that response.