RIBI Resilience Group

Project Information Sheet

01.07.2011

GUIDELINES FOR ROTARY INVOLVEMENT IN HOMEBASED EMERGENCIES AND DISASTERS - RESILIENCE

Objective

To develop contingency plans to assist Districts and Clubs in responding, to home based emergencies and disasters, both in the immediate aftermath and the long term recovery phases, in situations where Rotarians are not exposed to personal hazard.

Background

For a number of years RIBI Districts and Clubs have provided valuable assistance to their communities following major emergencies and disasters. This response has often been based on local Rotarians having knowledge of local problems and being able to provide focused and timely assistance. In some cases the response has been in concert with Local Authority Emergency Planners, in others, it has been independent.

Aims

The project has five main aims:

- to establish a network of District Resilience Coordinators.

- to encourage Districts and Clubs across the whole of the Great Britain and Ireland to consider their potential contribution to the response to local emergencies and disasters.

- to develop a relationship with the Local Authority Emergency Planning Units in their areas, appreciate the challenges being faced by them and to discuss if and how Rotary can fit into the planned response.

- to make sustainable plans to support the involvement of Districts or groups of Clubs.

- to ensure that examples of “Best Practice” are shared in order to assist other Districts and Clubs as necessary.

Process

In some areas good relationships have already been established with Local Authority Emergency Planners and Rotary Districts and Clubs, and Rotarians have been allocated and trained for one or more roles. This has generally taken a number of years to develop from first meetings, understanding each others capabilities, and finally building trust and reliance. There is no single solution as the risks and challenges vary, as do the capabilities of local responding organisations and Rotary. In many areas, County and local authority boundaries are not co-terminus with Rotary; this may need to be addressed and Rotary will need to be flexible.

To assist Districts, a Resilience Group (see “Contacts”) has been established to spread best practice and oversee the challenges the project will raise. Additionally Districts are encouraged to appoint a District Resilience Co-ordinator (DRC) who will, in the first instance, be responsible as a single focal point to start negotiations with Local Authorities. The DRC would be responsible for dovetailing District and Club voluntary offers with Local Authority needs, and to provide help and support to progress the initiative.

Legislative Framework

In the UK, the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and its supporting Regulations and Guidance define the roles and responsibilities of the statutory organisations in planning for and responding to emergencies. Chapter 14 of the Emergency Preparedness Guidance describes the arrangement for engaging with the voluntary sector. The Voluntary Sector organisations involved are typically British Red Cross, St John’s Ambulance, WRVS, Salvation Army, Samaritans, Raynet, RSPCA, and the Faith Community.

Rotary Involvement

Rotary is a member of the Voluntary Sector, recognised as having relevant managerial, organisational and secretarial skills which are particularly useful in assisting during the aftermath of emergency situations.

Examples of what has already been achieved

Examples of Rotarian involvement, negotiated with Local Authorities in various parts of the UK up to mid 2011 are as follows:

· Merseyside and North Wales (D1180). Approximately 43 Rotary Clubs have agreed to assist with the Local Authority response to major emergencies by meeting and assisting the friends and relatives of disaster victims as well as registering and befriending evacuees in emergency rest centres. The Clubs are arranged as first line and back up responders and are activated by a Rotary focal point.

· Cheshire (D1050, D1180, D1280). Approximately 75 Rotary volunteers have been trained and badged by Cheshire East and West Councils to assist with the management, administration and documentation of emergency rest centres for evacuees. An organising group of six Rotarians share an emergency mobile phone to provide 24/7 cover. Annual training and refresher courses take place.

· Cumbria (D1190) – During the 2009 Cumbria Floods, Rotarians were very successful in raising funds for the immediate needs of flood victims in the 3 major towns affected by the floods. Working in partnership with another charity, Rotarians established a furniture collection and storage facility and with a local Community Foundation Grant, facilitated the delivery of household goods across the area, paying particular attention to the most needy. As members of local Flood Forums, Rotarians have been able to assist the lobbying process for future flood protection schemes.

· Gloucestershire (D1100) - Volunteers from all the Voluntary Agencies are trained for a variety of roles by Gloucestershire CC and are called out and deployed individually by them. Eight Rotarians from various Clubs are part of this scheme, which enables D1100 to keep abreast of the response to any emergency, and to dovetail in any separate Rotary response considered appropriate.

Insurance

All emergency response activities undertaken by Rotary members, should be part of predetermined plans or agreements with local Statutory Authorities, through local voluntary sector bodies. If these conditions are met the activity is covered under the RIBI normal third party liability insurance. If there is any doubt, the matter should be referred to CEO at RIBI or the current RIBI Insurers.

OR REWORDING TO BE CONFIRMED AWAITING RIBI APPROVAL

INSURANCE

Whenever possible Resilience activities undertaken by Rotarians should be part of plans or agreements with local Statutory Authorities or local voluntary sector bodies. In such cases the activities should be covered by the normal RIBI third party liability insurance, but in case of doubt check with the current RIBI Insurers. If Rotary is responding independently then it is more important to check the situation with the current RIBI insurers.

Contacts and Advisory Responsibilities

Resilience Group Coordinator

PDG Tony Parrini – D1110, D1170, D1200, D1290

(P) 01228-674553 (M) 07809-154999 (e)

Resilience Group Members

Rtn Alan Cunnell – D1090, D1120, D1130, D1140, D1180, D1240, D1250, D1260.

(P) 01737-247525 (e)

Rtn Alan Miller – D1010, D1020, D1030, D1040, D1070, D1220, D1230, D1270.

(p) 01609-775070 (e)

Rtn Tony Yeates – D1050, D1060, D1100, D1150, D1160, D1180, D1190, D1210, D1280.

(P) 01829-730136 (M) 07708-098730 (E)