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Emergency Planning

Emergency planning operates within the framework of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (opens new window) which sets down a clear set of roles and responsibilities for local responders. 

Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, the council and it's partners have a duty to:

  • Assess risk
  • Maintain emergency plans
  • Maintain business continuity plans
  • Promote business continuity
  • Communicate with the public
  • Share information with other emergency responders
  • Cooperate with other emergency responders

You can see the Community Risk Register here. (opens new window)  Working in partnership with agencies such as Police Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Scottish Ambulance Service, National Health Service and the Voluntary Sector, the council are always developing, testing and reviewing our arrangements to meet these duties and mitigate these risks.  

The Emergency Planning Service is located in the Chief Executive Office.  The service is responsible for ensuring that the council has emergency response arrangements in place to enable it to respond effectively in times of crisis. 

When a major incident or serious emergency takes place, West Lothian Council has an important role in assisting everyone in the community to cope with, and recover from, its effects.  Some of the assistance it can provide are:

  • Emergency Rest Centres for people evacuated from their homes
  • Additional plant and equipment
  • A control centre to co-ordinate the response
  • Advice on potentially dangerous structures or buildings
  • Transportation
  • Advice and guidance for communities during the incident and in the aftermath and recovery period

During an emergency, information will be made available to the public as quickly as possible, via the local media and via the councils social media and website. Advice for households and communities to help them prepare for emergencies is available at Ready Scotland (opens new window)

Business continuity advice for businesses and voluntary and other organisations is available at Ready Scotland (opens new window) and West Lothian Business Gateway (opens new window).  Specific advice on facing the challenges which climate change impacts will bring is available Adaptation Scotland's Climate Ready Business Guidance (opens new window)

Sign up with the Met Office to keep up to date with severe weather warnings (opens new window)