Emergency planning
This section provides you with general advice and awareness about types of emergencies and our role during an emergency or major incident.
As a local authority it is our role to support the emergency services in the case of a major incident. 
Emergency planning is a systematic and ongoing process, preparing organisations for response to emergencies. The purpose of emergency planning is to develop and maintain agreed procedures to prevent, reduce, control, mitigate and take other actions in the event of an emergency. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 defines an emergency as:
- an event or situation which threatens serious damage to human welfare;
- an event or situation which threatens serious damage to the environment; or
war, or terrorism, which threatens serious damage to security.
We develop and maintains plans for a wide range of possible incidents, including flooding and other severe weather, pandemic flu and acts of terrorism.
The council encourage all residents to take time to consider how you can prepare yourself and your family for a variety of different types of incidents.
The role of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
In emergency circumstances, the council may be called upon by the emergency services to assist in the response by providing a rest centre or helping the community recover after the incident.
A rest centre is a pre-determined building provided by the local authority for temporary accommodation of evacuees or homeless survivors, with overnight facilities. Of course, if friends and family living nearby are able to offer accommodation then this is always encouraged, however you will always be invited to go to the rest centre in the first instance.
If you are evacuated to a rest centre, there will be food and drink available as well as personnel from both Reigate & Banstead Borough Council and Surrey County Council Social Care who will be available to provide support to all who have been affected.
There are four locations in the borough that have been identified as possible rest centres in the event of an emergency:
Related websites
See also
Contact
Contingency Planning Officer
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
Surrey
RH2 0SH
Telephone: 01737 276007
Email: contingency.planning@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
Last updated : 01/02/2011
