Civil Contingencies Act 2004

About The Civil Contingencies Act

The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 aims to establish a consistent level of civil protection across the UK.

Providing a basic framework for people who plan for local and national emergencies, the Act explains how local organisations and agencies should work together. As a result, the Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum was formed.

The Act also requires organisations such as Avon Fire & Rescue Service (AF&RS) to be able to continue its work in the event of an emergency. More information can be found in the Business Continuity Management section. Find out more about the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 on the UK Resilience website

Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum

AF&RS is part of the Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum (LRF) - a multi-agency group set up to respond to major incidents and emergencies.

Local Resilience Forums (LRF) were introduced throughout the country as part of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. Avon and Somerset LRF meets twice a year and is chaired by Avon and Somerset Constabulary. You can view the regional resilience teams on the Government's website.

Members of the LRF are divided into Category 1 and 2 responders. Category 1 responders are those first to be called upon in the event of an emergency, for example, police, fire service and ambulance service as well as others such as local authorities and Primary Care Trusts. Category 2 responders are key organisations that support Category 1 responders, for example utility companies and transport services.

The group is made up of representatives from:

  • Emergency services
  • Local authorities
  • Environment Agency
  • Utilities groups
  • NHS bodies
  • The Military

The full list of members and representatives of the Avon and Somerset Local Resilience Forum (PDF 73kb, opens in a new window) can be found here.  

The members of the Avon and Somerset LRF meet regularly to produce plans, co-ordinate exercises and training; maintain arrangements to warn the public and provide information regarding emergencies.

One of the group’s main tasks is to produce a Community Risk Register (PDF 270kb, opens in a new window) - this document highlights potential hazards in the Avon and Somerset area and details how local organisations would respond in the event of an emergency. Prepared in accordance with national guidance on emergency preparedness, the risk register aims to reassure local residents that steps are in place to cope with potential hazards.

Risk Assessments

Every hazard and threat identified within the Community Risk Register is given a lead agency which is then responsible for coordinating the production of individual risk assessments. In every case, this lead agency is a Category 1 responder from the A&S LRF area and the results of these extensive individual risk assessments make up the Community Risk Register to give it an overall risk profile.

Avon Fire & Rescue Service is the lead agency for eight individual risk assessments:

Risk Assessment IA-1 (PDF 88kb, opens in a new window) (Version 2.0, January 2008)

Risk Assessment IA-3 (PDF 71kb, opens in a new window) (Version 2.0, January 2008)

Risk Assessment IA-4 (PDF 77kb, opens in a new window) (Version 2.0, January 2008)

Risk Assessment IA-5 (PDF 70kb, opens in a new window) (Version 2.0, January 2008)

Risk Assessment IA-18 (PDF 74kb, opens in a new window) (Version 2.0, January 2008)

Risk Assessment IA-19 (PDF 71kb, opens in a new window) (Version 2.0, January 2008)

Risk Assessment TA-7 (PDF 78kb, opens in a new window) (Version 2.0, January 2008)

Risk Assessment TA-9 (PDF 76kb, opens in a new window) (Version 2.0, January 2008)

Individual risk assessment IAc-3 (Version 1.0, January 2008)
Download not available

You can also download the the terms of reference and membership of the A&S LRF Risk Assessment Working Group (PDF 68kb, opens in a new window).

Incidents of note

Candles
Candles
Do not leave candles unattended and make sure they are out before you go to bed. Always use the right kind of holders, placed on fireproof surfaces. Keep lit candles away from clothing and furnishings.