Why do we plan for emergencies?

Previous incidents and disasters across the UK, from the Covid outbreak to fuel shortages and severe flooding, have shown that planning for emergencies is essential.

We work with the emergency services, NHS, transport and utility companies on plans designed to ensure we respond effectively to emergency incidents and safeguard our communities across Merseyside.

Our legal duties

The Civil Contingencies Act places a number of duties on local authorities and other agencies.

Liverpool City Council is a category 1 responder which means we are legally required to:

• Assess the risk of emergencies occurring and use this to inform contingency planning.
• Put in place emergency plans.
• Put in place business continuity management arrangements.
• Put in place arrangements to make information available to the public about civil protection matters and maintain arrangements to warn, inform and advise the public in the event of an emergency.
• Share information with other local responders to enhance co-ordination.
• Co-operate with other local responders to enhance co-ordination and efficiency.
• Provide advice and assistance to business and voluntary organisations about business continuity management.