Community Emergency Plan for Cotton Parish, Suffolk
(Reviewed – May 2022)
Local Risk Assessment |
There are no specific risks but the London to Norwich main railway line runs adjacent to the village, also, there are two through traffic routes with attendant risks. Extreme weather and prolonged power loss may also offer risks at any time. The village is on a regular flying route for military aircraft which may also pose a risk. |
Local Skills & Resources |
This small rural community has many farms and businesses with skills and equipment. Individuals on the Emergency Contacts List will have local knowledge and details – see below. |
Places of Safety |
The following Places of Safety have been identified. They should be used in the following order:-
Keyholders – The keys are held in a key box by the front door. Co-ordinators: John and Ann Doherty, Garden House, Broad Road, Cotton. tel.01449 781083 Parish councillors also have the key code.
tel.01449 781101
Keyholder – Rev. Rita Carr 01449 612619
Keyholder – Carole Jones, 3, Stonham Road, Cotton, tel. 01449 781874 |
Emergency Contacts |
The Parish web-site offers a longer list of local people with influence. In the first instance contact the following:
Tina Newell, 25 Shakespeare Road, Stowmarket IP14 1TU, tel. 07785331217 email: parishclerk@cotton-pc.gov.uk
Sarah Wenban tel; 01449 781308 (m) 07754418574 email: sarah.wenban@cotton-pc.gov.uk
Andrew Stringer, Broadway House, Broad Road, Cotton tel: 01449 780339 (m) 07774 199061 email:Andrew.stringer@midsuffolk.gov.uk
tel. 07790 992619 email: Andrew.mellen@midsuffolk.gov.uk We are a small village therefore most people know how to find the relevant individuals with knowledge, skills, equipment. |
Key Community Supporters |
To be confirmed
on call mobile no: 07980 948641 Scheme Co-ordinator Mike Hall
Revd. Carl Melville, The Rectory, Church Road, Bacton, tel: 01449 258149 |
Activation of The Plan |
Activation will normally be made by the Emergency Services or the Local Authority however if common-sense indicates implementation is necessary then this should be done straight away. |
First Actions |
Set up a coordinating group to include at least one member of the Parish Council. Inform the Emergency Services Centre on 0300 1234000 and dialling 101 or 999. (www.suffolkresilience.com) Establish a contact telephone number which can be staffed at all times. In the event of power failure a ‘hard-wired’ land-line will be needed for emergency contact. An Emergency Pack kept in a yellow bag is held at the Village Hall. It contains all the necessary items to run a Community Emergency Incident |
Agreed actions if evacuation is required |
Normally Emergency Services will be at the scene of an emergency before any community action is required. They will direct what needs doing. They will require:
|
Staying in contact if the usual means have been disrupted |
For an extended evacuation a community control centre will be necessary, (probably in the Place of Safety). Assume mobile phones will be inoperable for at least 12 hours so consider runners/cyclists/drivers to pass messages. Social media such as Village Facebook page (Cotton Parish Grapevine) should be considered along with the village web-site and public meetings |
Other information |
Make sure volunteers work in pairs, for their own safety. If it is going to be a long job, plan for extra people to be available to cover all hours including night-time. Use your own initiative but always tell someone else what you are doing and record decisions. Large maps of the village are held by the Parish Clerk and at each Place of Safety. Any media interviews should be co-ordinated through the Emergency Services press officer. Bacton Parish is adjacent to Cotton and also has a Community Emergency Plan which gives further contacts, Places of Safety etc. |
Useful information sources: Suffolk Rest Centre Forms – http://www.getpreparednow.co.uk/home/rest-centreforms/?stage=Live
A copy of the plan can be downloaded and read here