Working Together to Strengthen Community Resilience
on the Island

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Disasters can strike suddenly, unexpectedly and anywhere. Many agencies have a part in dealing with a disaster and its aftermath i.e. emergency services, local authority, health agencies, central government and relevant private sector organisations. The effectiveness of the total response will depend on how well these agencies and organisations have harmonised their preparations, and exercised their arrangements and emergency procedures.

The emergency services, local authority, health agencies etc. on the Island are constantly working to enhance community resilience, but to ensure that the relevant organisations are working together, a number of multi-agency groups have been established. These groups have individual responsibilities but work within a co-ordinated structure. The main groups are:

1. ISLAND RESILIENCE FORUM (EXECUTIVE GROUP)

This is the strategic co-ordinating group with a responsibility for prioritising the multi-agency work required regarding community resilience i.e. planning, training and exercises. In short, this group monitors and gives the necessary direction. All other Island groups with a responsibility for community resilience work to this Forum.

2. ISLAND RESILIENCE FORUM (WORKING GROUP)

This is the group that carries out all the necessary community resilience work as directed by the Executive Group.

3. ISLE OF WIGHT NHS PRIMARY CARE TRUST EMERGENCY PLANNING GROUP

Its main responsibilities are to ensure that all the Island health agencies have co-ordinated plans, procedures and arrangements both on the Island and with their counterparts on the mainland. This group interacts with and has representation on both the Island Resilience Forum Executive and Working Groups.

4. CRISIS SUPPORT CO-ORDINATING GROUP

This group has two roles. The first is to raise understanding and co-ordinate the provision of psychological support during major/critical incidents. The second is to liaise and communicate with all voluntary sector organisations with a role to play during a major incident. This group feeds into both the Island Resilience Forum Executive and Working Groups.

All the above groups liaise and interact with similar type forums on the mainland to ensure that there is regional co-ordination, planning and training.
Should you require further information regarding the community resilience structure on the Island please contact the Emergency Planning Team on 01983 823316 or email emergency.planning@iow.gov.uk