Major Emergency Incident
Emergencies are happening almost every minute of the day. They cover all sorts of incidents from vehicle accidents to medical emergencies. The Emergency Services police, fire, ambulance and search & rescue deal with them quickly and efficiently.
When a major incident/emergency arises then a lead agency takes overall control. Lead agencies include:-
- Police/Security Services (999)
- Ministry of Defence
- Environment Agency (Emergency Hotline 0800 80 70 60)
- Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra Helpline telephone - 08459 33 55 77 email - helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk)
- Unitary Authorities
What is a major incident/emergency?
- natural disasters such as floods and storms
- airline crash
- pollution i.e. spillages, radioactive substances, toxic gases
- war or terrorism
- any incident which is a threat to the welfare of the community
To report any emergency or incident phone 999
Northumberland County Council is the Unitary Authority who, through their Protective Services Directorate (01670 534656 email: protectiveservices@northumberland.gov.uk ), has the responsibility for emergency planning within the National Park.
The Council recognises that there is a need for effective planning for civil emergencies to ensure the efficient and speedy management of the response to these incidents between all the possible agencies; the Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance Service, the Council, utilities providers and voluntary agencies.
Planning for a major emergency is never easy because no-one can predict what might happen - a major road, train, air or river accident or another dangerous incident
The Council's Emergency Plan sets out the information, procedures and details required to ensure an effective, flexible and timely response to a major accident or emergency thus reducing to a minimum the distress and disruption caused by such an incident. If you require any further information on the Council's emergency planning, please use the contact on the right.
As a National Park Authority it is our role to support the emergency services or lead agency in the case of an incident in or bordering the National Park. Our local and specialist knowledge is of greatest help to the emergency planning teams or emergency services. Support includes providing local landscape/environmental knowledge, aiding with communications, aiding with visitor management/exclusions, local community liaison and logistical support.
Northumberland National park Authority supports the Northumberland National Park Search and Rescue Team, an autonomous registered charity, through an annual grant.
A specialist search and rescue team is affiliated to the North East Search and Rescue Association; they operate in a voluntary capacity on behalf of the Police attending incidents both in and outside the National Park. There is no governmental financial support for search and rescue teams and operations are funded totally through donations and sponsorship.
If you want more information regarding Northumberland National Park Search and Rescue Team or are interested in joining e-mail the team secretary at forrester.g@blueyonder.co.uk
Local Government Service List Number 703
Email: major.incidents@nnpa.org.uk
Telephone: 01434 611527
Fax: 01434 611693
