Council and partners call on Lochaber locals to plan for emergencies.

People in Lochaber are urged to be more prepared in times of emergency and are being invited to a Community Resilience Workshop on Thursday 18 April 2013, in the Council Chamber, Lochaber House, Fort William.

Organised by The Highland Council, the aim of the workshop is to inform individuals and communities about how to build their own resilience in times of emergency. Such emergencies may be due to bad weather or other scenarios which may mean a delay in emergency responders, utility companies and other help reaching the scene.

The purpose of the event is not about asking individuals to do the job of the emergency services, but about making everyone more able to look after themselves and each other until help arrives.  The workshop will highlight the importance of the ‘Household Resilience Plan’, with checklists and examples of the kind of things everyone should have at home, ready for extended periods when there is no power, water or communications.

The event also provides excellent opportunities to meet the faces and people behind the organisations involved and for networking with other community representatives.

Provost of Lochaber, Councillor Allan Henderson said: “Recent heavy snowfalls in the south of Scotland have highlighted how vulnerable communities are and how necessary it is for everyone to be prepared.

“Would you know how to deal with an unexpected dangerous situation in your community if emergencies services or help could not get through to you – how would you and your neighbours keep yourself safe? Being prepared for the unexpected and making your community more resilient is what this workshop is all about.”

This public event will run from 3pm – 7pm with the following partners having manned displays of materials, information and equipment all aimed at helping communities:

There will be two sessions with speakers from SSE, Highland Council TEC Services, Red Cross, Mountain Rescue and MCA taking place between 3.30pm and 4.30pm and again between 5.30pm and 6.30pm. 

To find out more about community and individual household resilience go to http://www.readyscotland.org/my-community/emergency-planning-for-community-groups/

For more information on the event contact Dot Ferguson, Senior Ward Manager, The Highland Council on 01397 707231 or e-mail: dot.ferguson@highland.gov.uk