All the emergency services, local authorities, health boards and utilities within Strathclyde work together under the auspices of the Strathclyde Emergencies Co-ordination Group at strategic, tactical and local levels. During major incidents the Resilience and Safety Unit of Glasgow City Council provides a single point of contact between the Emergency Services and all council departments.
There are many scenarios which necessitate action by the Resilience and Safety Unit, including Fire, Flooding, Explosion, Travel Accident, Chemical Spill and Dangerous Buildings.
The Resilience and Saftey Unit is on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is normally alerted by Strathclyde Police. A Resilience and Safety Officer will immediately assess the situation and decide which Council Services should respond, and then arrange the deployment of the appropriate officers. They will also inform the relevant elected members and Senior Council Officials.
The Emergency Services are responsible for evacuation of the public from the area of the incident, and the Resilience and Safety Unit will thereafter arrange for a Rest Centre, or other place of safety to be opened, and for trained staff to attend to look after those who are affected by the incident but who do not require medical treatment.
The Resilience and Safety Unit plans for major incidents by writing contingency plans which are either required by legislation or by good practice. The Resilience and Safety Unit is also involved in the planning of many council events including the River Festival, the Great Scottish Run, The Glasgow Show, Proms in the Park, Winterfest and the Hogmanay celebrations.
During Major Incidents the Strathclyde Emergencies Co-ordination Group may request the services of the Voluntary Agencies. With the exception of those members of the British Red Cross and St Andrew's Ambulance Association, who are working for and directly responsible to the Scottish Ambulance Service, the City Council's Resilience and Safety Unit will co-ordinate the response and resources of the voluntary agencies.
The document below has been produced by Strathclyde Emergencies Coordination Group (SECG) to assist businesses and voluntary organisations with their business continuity planning:
SECG guide to business continuity planning.pdf