9. Assistance provided through the Strategic Co-ordinating Group partnerships
- The SCG lies at the centre of the formal co-operation process at local level. In addition to the emergency services the SCG is comprised of key local responders with a role in:
- supporting the emergency services and those assisting them;
- supporting the local community in a variety of ways;
- maintaining normal services and utilities at an appropriate level; and
- managing community recovery.
9.2 SCGs have generic plans which enable them to respond to a variety of emergencies. Those plans must contain details of multi-agency alerting and activating arrangements.
9.3 The functions of SCG partners enable them to provide a wide variety of services in response. Those services are generally provided by multi-agency arrangements and include representation from the voluntary and business sectors. They include:
- comprehensive care for people and discreet welfare support for victims, residents and staff;
- establishment of rest centres;
- provision of public health, environment, scientific and technical advice through the Scientific and Technical Advice Cell ( STAC);
- provision of plant, equipment and staff;
- protection, repair, maintenance and renewal of the physical infrastructure;
- protection of the environment;
- provision of accommodation for a variety of purposes;
- information and advice for the public;
- recovery in its many forms; and
- community engagement.
9.4 It is incumbent upon the SCG's members to adopt a proactive approach to service delivery, offering their support if they can improve the effectiveness of the combined response and, if necessary, seeking support if they recognise a need.