Our responsibilities
The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 designates all local authorities (county and district) as Category 1 responders. The Council's Civil Protection duties are detailed in the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and how they should be performed is set out in The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (Contingency Planning) Regulations 2005. The Act and Regulations are supported by a guidance document called 'Emergency Preparedness', which, among other things, includes requirements for planning, warning and informing the public, exercising plans and training personnel.
In addition, Dartford Borough Council has a responsibility to all people who are living, working or simply passing through the Borough. This responsibility, known as a "Duty of Care", has become legally established as a consequence of a number of public enquiries and court cases which have resulted from major disasters such as the London bombings, the capsize of the "Herald of Free Enterprise, the Ladbroke Grove rail crash, the Grand National evacuation, more natural events such as foot and mouth virus, fuel shortages, hurricanes, burst water mains and many, many more.
The Council has an Agreement with the Emergency Planning Unit of Kent County Council to provide an agreed level of service to enhance this level of preparedness.
Also, the Council, along with the other Kent District Councils, the County Council and Medway Council, has agreed to assist the others and be assisted where an incident has overwhelmed the resources of any group of Councils.
The Council works closely with the emergency services, health services, local councils, professional partners, voluntary agencies and industry. By working together we can make sure our emergency plans and risk assessments are accurate about the likelihood, consequence and potential impact of hazards. There are specialist groups who meet and share information as part of a more general process of dialogue and co-operation. Information sharing is an important part of emergency planning work, underpinning all forms of co-operation.
The Council has an active role in the Kent Resilience Forum at Policy and Executive levels thus forging strong links with the other emergency services and Category 1 and 2 responders.