VCS organisations helping in emergencies

The Cabinet Office has published new guidance to help VCS organisations in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies.

The VCS has an important role to play in supporting the statutory services in response to many emergencies. Experience shows that active engagement of the VCS in emergency preparedness work such as planning, training, and exercising, will enable them to be more effective in the event of an emergency.

Planning for and responding to emergencies is primarily delivered at the local level. Therefore, the engagement of the VCS in civil protection is most effectively managed at the local level, within a national policy framework.

For further information and to download the guidance, which includes information on the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and the Voluntary Sector Civil Protection Forum, visit www.gov.uk/how-volunteers-can-help-in-emergencies.