Emergency Plan - Fylde Borough Council

Emergency Plan February 2007
7.1 Overview
Any major incident may well attract a large number of representatives from the local, national
and even international press, TV and radio, as well as freelance reporters and photographers.
A helpful and proactive approach to their requirements will help to minimise disruption to the
work of the emergency services and the Council. It can lead to a more effective information
service to the public and should achieve a more sympathetic reporting of the Council's
response to the incident. The lead authority will also lead the media response to an incident
i.e. for Fire related issues Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service will lead.
In emergency situations, media arrangements on behalf of Fylde Borough Council will be
handled by Blackpool Borough Council’s Press Office (referred to below as the Council’s PR
representative). They will deal with all media enquiries and issue press releases about the
Council’s work and activities, liaising as appropriate with senior council officers, Members and
with the other agencies involved in the emergency.
7.2 Lancashire Major Incident Media Response Plan
In most major emergency situations, the Police initially will be the lead agency for
communication activities as well as leading on the response to the incident.
The procedures that will be followed are outlined in the Lancashire Major Incidents Media
Response Plan. The Council’s PR representative (see above) will work closely with the Police
communications officers and those from the other agencies involved. In summary, this Media
Response Plan aims to:
• Provide a multi-agency framework in which media inquiries can be efficiently and
constructively handled.
• Enable exchange of information between PR officers of the various public agencies
and of any industrial/commercial organisations involved.
• Help control the flow of information to prevent breakdown in communications and the
possibility of delivering mixed messages
• Provide a focal point for information gathering.
• Provide timely information and advice to the public by using established media links.
Depending on the type of emergency and its duration, a Forward Media Briefing Point, and or
a Media Briefing Centre, may be established. The Council’s PR representative may be
deployed at one of these centres along with communications staff from the other agencies
involved including the Press Officer from the lead agency. The Plan also outlines procedures
for controlling media access to the scene of the incident and to the people involved; dealing
with casualty information; use of radio and TV for public appeals and liaison with Government.
A hard copy of this plan can be found on the Emergency Planning Shelves of Room 112
(Environmental Protection).
7.3 The Role of the Council’s PR Representative
In line with the procedures in the Plan, the Council’s PR representative will work as follows
during the emergency:-
• Establish contact with, and work closely with, the lead agency PRO (usually Police).
• Issue statements and press releases only on behalf of the Council and its activities.
(In compiling these press releases etc, the PR representative will liaise as appropriate
with Council officers involved in the incident. All statements will be approved by the
appropriate senior Council Officer – usually the Chief Executive or Deputy Chief
Executive – before they are issued).
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