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In case of emergency – Community Resilience Plans

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Much of Norfolk is low-lying land, not much higher or even lower than surrounding water levels.  Even though the county has some of the lowest rainfall in Britain, 42,500 homes in Norfolk are estimated to be at risk from flooding.  And we know that coastal erosion threatens the very existence of some homes.  How resilient is your community to these threats and others?

Solutions – understanding skills and connections

You know your community - the people, the geography and the cultural, faith and social connections. Community is about existing networks and relationships that should be well placed to identify:

  • the potential risks for the community – flooding, severe weather, major traffic accident such as chemical spillage.
  • who has key skills – such as medical knowledge, transport,  heavy lifting vehicles, tractors, medical skills, food supplies.
  • buildings that could be made available – is the village hall or community centre geared up to deal with an emergency, is it accessible, impervious to extreme weather?
  • communication links to ensure everyone can be contacted in an emergency
  • who might be vulnerable in an emergency – the elderly, disabled, physically isolated
  • what the highest priority needs are in a given emergency – rescue, medical attention

Solutions – plan ahead

How can communities use local resources and knowledge to help themselves during a physical emergency such as flooding and sever weather? How can you make best use of local expertise, skills and knowledge?  Start by liaising with the Norfolk Resilience Forum (NRF). It’s a multi-agency group comprising the emergency services, local authorities and other agencies, working together to plan and co-ordinate a county-wide approach to managing risks and emergencies.  You can register here to find out more about developing a Community Resilience Plan. The aim is to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies. You  can download the NRF’s Community Resilience Strategy here.     

Simon Faraday-Drake, former chair of the NRF’s Community Resilience Group says  ‘Every community works in its own way but they all share the same essential principle of building on strong social connections. The mums at the baby group can help each other with childcare, dog walkers can door-knock and check on vulnerable neighbours, the football team might use their mini-bus to help get people to hospital appointments or collect shopping during severe weather. Every community has people like this and Norfolk Resilience Forum is keen to work with them to make our county the most resilient it can be.’

‘Community planning is more than just bricks and mortar – it’ about bringing a community together to take control of its own future.’ [Action With Communities in Rural England (ACRE) paper on Community Planning] See also ACRE’s guide to Water Environments

Communities with strong and vibrant social networks, where neighbours know one other and where friends offer support, are naturally resilient.  They can become even more so if, during and after an emergency event:

  1. People feel a sense of place, pride and belonging in their community.
  2. Communities are connected and work together for shared goals.
  3. Individuals, groups and networks are engaged and empowered to make a difference.
  4. Communities have clear channels of communications to link into physical and social assets and resources.
  5. Individuals and communities have realistic expectations of the levels of support during an emergency event.
  6. Communities take action to reduce the impacts of hazards.
  7. Communities have strong and trusting relationships with each other and all bodies within the NRF.
  8. Private, public and community sectors are prepared to respond effectively and return to business quickly.

By developing an emergency plan, communities can ensure that support offered during and after an incident is co-ordinated as efficiently and effectively as possible.Call us on 01362 698216 to discuss how your community might benefit from more integrated working between local groups and specialists.