South Norfolk recruits its 50th Emergency Co-ordinator

With three new villages on board, South Norfolk Council has now recruited more than 50 Emergency Co-ordinators to take the lead should a crisis hit their local communities.

Working with their parish council, each volunteer prepares an Emergency Plan which takes into account the special needs of their own village. They also make contact with all the local residents to establish who would have skills or equipment to offer in the event of an emergency - and who would need particular help.

Jim Bagley, South Norfolk Council’s District Emergency Planning Manager, explained:

"The idea behind the Emergency Co-ordinators is to help our communities to help themselves. In the event of an emergency, such as flooding, power cuts or severe weather, rural communities often find themselves isolated for a while before professional support can come in. With 53 of these volunteers, we are leading the way in Norfolk and are being held up as best practice to other councils."

Ron Cunningham lives in Loddon and is South Norfolk’s longest-standing Emergency Co-ordinator. He said:

"Our Emergency Plan has made a real difference when we’ve had to deal with floods or heavy snow in Loddon. Things go more smoothly; everybody knows what they’re doing in the first instance, or what they’re likely to be called upon to do, so we don’t have to train people on the spot. We have a Rest Centre for emergencies - based at Hobart High School - where I’ve arranged for various very able villagers to look after security, first aid, parking, bedding, refreshment, pets - even entertainment to keep the people amused!"

Cllr Philip Waltham, who leads the Council on emergency planning, added:

"Not only do these dedicated men and women put themselves forward to be the first to alert and lead the community in event of an emergency, but they also create and maintain the links that will bring all the residents into the safety net when it is needed.

"We live in an uncertain world, and this Council can be justly proud of the building of a team of over 50 Emergency Co-ordinators, spanning the whole of South Norfolk, so that we can be prepared for the worst."

Mulbarton, Easton and Saxlingham are the latest villages to have recruited Emergency Co-ordinators, and the Council is keen for more volunteers in areas where there is still none. Ron Cunningham explained that you just have to be community-minded:

"Fortunately there are very few real emergencies. We hope it won’t happen, but we’re always anticipating - and we’re prepared if it does."

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