Frequently Asked Questions

What do we do?

Emergency Planning bring together agencies that have a role to play at times of crisis, integrating them with the uniformed emergency services to form a Major Emergency Response Organisation. We plan and arrange, on behalf of the Council, their response to identified hazards for which it is prudent, or for which there is a statutory duty to plan.

See under Related Information to view some of the Major Incidents that have occurred within the Highland Region.

Highland Council's Main Emergency Centre in Inverness.

We maintain this facility, as well as six other Emergency Centres across the Council area, in a constant state of readiness.

You can see below, just some of the agencies we work with on a regular basis. Many are partners in the Council's Emergency Response Planning and many have developed their own emergency arrangements as a result. There is a need to have in place arrangements for a co-ordinated response which includes a wide range of external agencies. To be effective these arrangements need to be confirmed and tested, through exercising, on a regular basis.

What do we contribute to the Council?

Emergency Planning provide advise and implement, on behalf of the council, legislation, regulations and policy related to emergency issues. Emergency Planners need a broad knowledge of the activities and responsibilities of all organisations in their area. They bring to the Council an understanding and awareness of the work and organisation of the emergency services, public agencies, voluntary organisations and many other organisations. No other council service has such diverse and regular contact with so many outside organisations.

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