The key roles and responsibilities during and after a flooding emergency.
Local authorities
- Coordinate emergency support within their own functions.
- Deal with emergencies on ‘non main rivers'.
- Coordinate emergency support from the voluntary sector.
- Liaise with central and regional government departments.
- Liaise with essential service providers.
- Open evacuation and rest centres.
- Manage the local transport and traffic networks.
- Mobilise trained emergency social workers.
- Provide emergency assistance.
- Deal with environmental health issues, such as contamination and pollution.
- Coordinate the recovery process.
- Manage public health issues.
- Provide advice and management of public health.
- Provide support and advice to individuals.
- Assist with business continuity.
- Data collection – S19 FWMA duty to investigate significant flooding events.
Police force
- Save life.
- Coordination and communication between emergency services and organisations providing support.
- Coordinate the preparation and dissemination.
Fire and rescue service
- Save life rescuing people and animals.
- Carry out other specialist work, including flood rescue services.
- Where appropriate, assist people where the use of fire service personnel and equipment is relevant.
Ambulance service
- Save life.
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Provide treatment, stabilisation and care at the scene.
Environment Agency
- Support the Emergency Services and other partners
- Provide information to the public on what they can do before, during and after a flood event
- Issue flood warnings and ensure systems display current flooding information
- Receive and record details of flooding and related information
- Operate water level control structures within its jurisdiction and in line with permissive powers
- Collect flood event data
- Participate in flood exercises
- Respond to pollution incidents and regulate the disposal of wastes generated
- Assist with the recovery process, for example, by advising on the disposal of silt, attending flood surgeries
Utility providers
- Attend emergencies relating to their services putting life at risk.
- Assess and manage risk of service failure.
- Assist with the recovery process, including the management of public health considerations.
Internal drainage boards
- Where these boards exist, they will have a key role in relation to their infrastructure and its performance.
Voluntary services
- Manage rest centres.
- Provide practical and emotional support to those affected.
- Support transport and communications.
- Provide administration.
- Provide telephone helpline support.