Communities in North East Fife planning for emergencies

They have drawn up an Emergency Plan to raise awareness of potential areas of concern and identify members of the community council emergency committee who will co-ordinate voluntary support and assistance in situations.

Emergencies such as severe weather – snow, winds and floods, power failures, a flu outbreak or a major transport accident – can happen at any time and without planning could catch a community out.

The council is urging community groups across Fife to work together, keep well informed about who their vulnerable residents are and prepare community emergency plans.

Councillor Tim Brett said: “We’re aware that emergencies can adversely affect businesses and cause great distress to people. By being prepared and organised, communities are more able to cope.

“I’m really pleased the residents of these communities have taken the initiative and I would urge other communities to use the council’s Emergency Resilience Team to help them to develop their own emergency plans.”

He added: “These plans complement and assist the emergency services should a situation arise.”

Rick Dunkerley, depute emergency coordinator, said: “Obviously, it is impossible to cover every eventuality, but with the help of experts from Fife Council we believe that we have built sufficient flexibility into the plan to improve our response in most cases.

“By exploring our unique situation we feel that we have produced a resilient plan that will help the community should an emergency occur.

“In the event of an emergency, information will be posted on the ‘Newport, Wormit and Forgan Community Council facebook page.

“Information regarding the Emergency Plan can be found at www.fifedirect.org.uk/NWFCCemergencyplan, on the church and community notice boards and a hard copy has been placed in the reference section of the Newport library.”

He added: “Furthermore, all of the local community councillors will be kept as fully briefed as possible during any emergency situation.”

For further advice contact the Emergency Resilience Team on (01592) 583544.