Local
Local Resilience Forums (LRF)
Within the North East region there are a number of police forces, they are Cleveland, Durham and Northumbria. The area covered by each force forms the boundaries for each LRF. The County Durham and Darlington LRF is based on the Durham Constabulary police force area.
The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (CCA 2004) indicates that:
- The LRF is crucial as it forms the principal mechanism for multi-agency co-operation under the CCA 2004;
- The LRF is not a statutory body and it does not have the power to direct its members;
- The LRF should be regarded as a process whereby the different bodies covered by the CCA 2004 can co-operate with each other;
- The LRF meets on a quarterly basis;
- The purpose of the LRF process is to ensure effective delivery of the CCA 2004’s duties that need to be developed in a multi-agency environment.
In particular the LRF must deliver the following:
- An agreed risk profile for the area in the form of a Community Risk Register.
- A systematic, planned and co-ordinated approach to encourage responder bodies to address all aspects of policy decision in relation to – risk; planning for emergencies; planning for business continuity management; publishing information regarding risk assessments and plans; arrangements to warn and inform the public; other aspects of civil protection duty including the promotion of business continuity management by local authorities.
- Support for the preparation of multi-agency plans and other documents, including protocols, agreements, and the co-ordination of multi-agency exercises and other training events.
The County Durham & Darlington LRF terms of reference ensure that local organisations are meeting their requirements as responders under the CCA 2004. (see LRF Terms of Reference)
The County Durham & Darlington LRF is currently chaired by the Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary and the Deputy Chair is the Chief Executive of the Fire and Rescue Service. The secretariat support is provided by the County Durham and Darlington Civil Contingencies Unit (CCU) . The LRF members include Category 1 and 2 Responders and cooperating bodies with a local interest in County Durham and Darlington. (for detail see LRF Membership).
The LRF undertakes it detailed work through its ‘general working groups which is called the Joint emergency Liaison Group (JELG) and its subgroups.
The JELG subgroups in 2005 were re-organised to align them with the key duties of the CCA 2004. Each of the working groups have agreed action plans for which they are accountable to the JELG who in turn is accountable to the LRF. The current JELG Working Groups (Chair in brackets) are
- Risk Assessment Working Group – (Civil Contingencies Unit);
- Emergency Planning Working Group – (Police);
- Training & Exercise Working Group – (Fire & Rescue Service);
- Business Continuity Working Group – (Local Authority);
- Warning & Informing Working Group – (Police); and
- Ad Hoc Working Groups – (As required).
There are two associated groups which feed into the JELG:
- Local Authorities Civil Contingencies Group – (CCU); and
- Voluntary Emergency Liaison Group – (CCU)