Emergency planning in the Council

The general priorities of organisations involved in an emergency response are to:

1. Save life

2. Prevent escalation

3. Relieve suffering

4. Investigate

5. Safeguard the environment

6. Protect property

7. Restore normality

In an emergency, the Council aims to

• Support the emergency services and those engaged in the emergency response to save life and protect the environment and property.

• Co-ordinate the response of appropriate organisations other than the emergency and health services.

• Provide support to those directly affected by the emergency.

• Provide information to the wider community.

• Lead the recovery and return to normality of the community.

• Maintain normal Council services as fully as circumstances permit.

Response

During the response phase the City of Edinburgh Council's main function is to support the emergency services, for example road closures or setting up reception centres for displaced persons. The purpose is to mitigate the immediate effects of an emergency.

Recovery

The Council is most likely to be the lead organisation in the aftermath of an incident. This is a much longer phase that can take months or even years to complete. Recovery seeks to address the human, physical, environmental, social and economic consequences of an emergency and involves not only the Council but also the private sector and wider community.