The Future

Emergency Planning in the UK generally and Scotland in particular has experienced many changes in recent years and the whole sphere of activity continues to evolve with new regulations – The Civil Contingencies Regulations – becoming law in November 2005. With the increase in regulation, as a result of the UK Government complying with EU directives, ongoing changes in Health and Safety Legislation, and changes in Government Policy, coupled with public expectations, the demand on Emergency Planning Officers continues to grow.

It is now universally agreed that continuous and ongoing effort must be applied to improving emergency preparedness following the many lessons learned from disasters both in the UK and world wide coupled to an ongoing terrorist threat. It is thus essential that adequate resources coupled to efficient practices are channelled into Emergency Planning both now and into the future. The requirement remains, albeit primarily a Local Authority one, to provide what is, in effect, insurance cover for the public under the requirement that all Local Authorities exercise their “Duty of Care”.