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Emergency Planning within Fife Council
Published by: Fife CouncilThis list of FAQs should answer most questions you may have on Emergency Planning. However if you have a question not included here then please contact us below:
Telephone: 01592 774451 or
Email us at emergency.planning@fife.gov.uk
- What type of emergency does the council plan for?
- Why does the council need emergency plans?
- Who is responsible for the council's emergency plans?
- Where is Emergency Planning HQ and is this where any disaster recovery would be controlled from?
- How does the council get alerted to an incident?
- What are the emergency plans for Fife and is Fife prepared for a major incident?
- Are there plans for emergencies such as oil pollution and explosions from sites such as Mossmorran?
- Who is the initial contact should a major incident occur and what would happen if toxic waste was involved?
- How can I find out more about a current incident?
- Does this incident affect me now?
- What do I do if I am affected by an incident?
- In the event of an emergency incident how will I find out what's going on as I do not have a computer or internet access?
- I live near the Mossmorran Plant, Cowdenbeath and I would like to know what measures are in place to ensure the safety of residents and how we will be informed if an accident takes place? Are there other sites in Fife which could be potentially dangerous to residents?
- How does the council intend to deal with a terrorist attack if it happens in Fife?
- Where can I get the best advice on flooding?
- Will the council provide me with sandbags in the event of flooding?
- What happens if I need to be evacuated? Where will I go?
- What is a rest centre?
- Why do people evacuate to a rest centre?
- Do I have to remain in the rest centre?
- What will happen to my pets?
- What should I do when I arrive?
- What will be available in the centre?
- Who can I speak to if I have specific questions?
- How long will I be in the centre for?
Q. What type of emergency does the council plan for?
Fife Council's Major Emergency Plan is generic and can be used for many types of incidents. These could include major fires, floods and other severe weather events, gas explosions, water shortages and terrorist attacks. In the response phase, the council will provide support for the Emergency Services. Council services have particular responsibility to care for people affected by emergencies and once the response phase has passed the council will take the lead in the emergency recovery phase.
Q. Why does the council need emergency plans?
Fife Council prepares contingency plans to ensure that they can respond effectively and also provide guidance to staff when dealing with emergencies. The introduction of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 also requires designated Category One responders, including emergency services, health and local authorities to prepare contingency plans and develop response arrangements for a range of major emergencies.
Q. Who is responsible for the council's emergency plans?
Q. Where is Emergency Planning HQ and is this where any disaster recovery would be controlled from?
Q. How does the council get alerted to an incident?
Q. What are the emergency plans for Fife and is Fife prepared for a major incident?
Major Emergency Plan
COMAH Regulations Offsite Contingency Plan
Major Accident Hazard Pipelines Plan
Oil/Chemical Pollution Contingency Plan
Animal Diseases Plan
Pandemic Flu Plan
Emergency Rest Centre Plan
Q. Are there plans for emergencies such as oil pollution and explosions from sites such as Mossmorran?
Yes, the council have three specific plans for these type of incidents.
Major Emergency Plan
COMAH Regulations Offsite Contingency Plan
Oil Pollution Plan
Major Accident Hazard Pipelines Plan
Q. Who is the initial contact should a major incident occur and what would happen if toxic waste was involved?
Q. How can I find out more about a current incident?
Q. Does this incident affect me now?
| The Emergency Services will alert you if you are in any danger. |
Q. What do I do if I am affected by an incident?
Q. In the event of an emergency incident how will I find out what's going on as I do not have a computer or internet access?
Q. I live near the Mossmorran Plant, Cowdenbeath and I would like to know what measures are in place to ensure the safety of residents and how we will be informed if an accident takes place? Are there other sites in Fife which could be potentially dangerous to residents?
The Control of Major Accident Hazards Regulations ensure that these type of industrial sites provide information and also emergency leaflets with guidance and instructions to residents who live within the PIZ (Public Information Zone) and this will differ depending on the likelihood and extent of an incident. Fife sites include:
Shell Expro, Fife NGL Plant, Mossmorran
ExxonMobil Chemical, Fife Ethylene Plant, Mossmorran
Shell Expro Process Area, Braefoot Bay Marine Terminal
ExxonMobil Chemical Process Area, Braefoot Bay Marine Terminal
Diageo, Banbeath, Leven
Defence Storage and Distribution Agency, Crombie
Q. How does the council intend to deal with a terrorist attack if it happens in Fife?
Q. Where can I get the best advice on flooding?
Q. Will the council provide me with sandbags in the event of flooding?
The council encourages householders to be prepared for flooding if they are in known flood area. However, flash flooding is happening more often and all homeowners should be making arrangements to look after their own properties and families. There are companies such as builder's merchants who can provide you with flood defence products.
In emergencies, the council will provide a range of support measures for the Emergency Services including, where possible, the provision of sandbags.
Q. What happens if I need to be evacuated? Where will I go?
Q. What is a rest centre?
Q. Why do people evacuate to a rest centre?
Q. Do I have to remain in the rest centre?
Q. What will happen to my pets?
At the time of evacuation you will be asked to make arrangements for your pets. It may be that you could move them to the upper floor of your property for safety or ask a friend/relative to look after them. The rest centre will not be able to accommodate everyone's pets. It may be the local vets/kennels/catteries/SSPCA etc may be willing to take your pets.
Q. What should I do when I arrive?
We will need to ask for your name and will then provide you with a number. This number records your arrival in the centre and allows us to identify you throughout your stay. You will be asked to go to a registration desk where you will asked to provide further details. The police require this information to ensure that everyone is safe and accounted for. It also allows them to inform any enquiring relatives/friends on your behalf. Of course, if you prefer specific information about you not to be shared then you must inform the centre.