our role as a parish council...

  • Identify local risks and vulnerabilities
  • Coordinate community resources and volunteers
  • Establish communication channels for emergencies
  • Support vulnerable residents during crises
  • Collaborate with emergency services and authorities

How you can get involved...

  • Volunteer for Local Support: Offer skills and time to help coordinate emergency responses and support vulnerable residents
  • Identify Local Risks: Help map potential hazards specific to your community, such as flooding or severe weather risks
  • Join Communication Networks: Participate in creating emergency contact lists and communication channels for rapid information sharing

The Emergency Plan Action Cards are available here!

The Community Emergency Plan is available here!

For non-life-threatening situations covered by the Emergency Plan, contact a member of the Parish Council. They can help coordinate local resources and volunteers to assist you.

In an ever-changing and volatile world, being prepared for emergencies in the community is critical. Your Parish Council has created the ‘Emergency Plan’, a comprehensive strategy designed to dynamically harness local expertise in times of crisis.

This plan isn’t just about reacting to emergencies; it’s about preparing, responding, and recovering from a wide range of potential challenges. From floods and severe weather to utility failures and pandemics, we’re ready to support each other in the community.

The plan is only as strong as the community that it is designed to protect, and it is imperative that you familiarise yourselves with it now so that in the event of an emergency, you know what to do.

We’re calling on all members of our parish to consider how they might contribute. Whether you’re a medical professional, a skilled tradesperson, or someone willing to lend a helping hand, your skills are invaluable. Perhaps you can offer comfort to those who have been displaced, assist with ground-level flood management, or provide transport in adverse weather. Even making tea for volunteers can make a world of difference!

Key features of the Plan:

  • Types of Emergencies: The plan outlines potential risks including flooding, snow and ice, utility failures, and major accidents.
  • Role of Volunteers: Community volunteers play a crucial role in supporting emergency services. They assist with logistics, provide first aid, distribute resources like sandbags, and help open community places of safety.
  • Places of Safety: In case of evacuation or if you need temporary shelter, one of our designated Places of Safety will be activated: West Lavington Village Hall (our primary location), All Saints Church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, or St Joseph’s Catholic Church. These locations can provide warmth, shelter, and basic amenities for up to 36 hours.
  • Local Skills and Resources: The Parish Council maintains a list of local individuals with skills that can assist during emergencies.

By working together, we can create a resilient community that’s prepared for anything. If you’d like to be part of this important initiative, please email: wlcr@westlavington.org.uk.