BALMULLO COMMUNITY COUNCIL
| IF YOU ARE EVER IN IMMEDIATE DANGER CALL 999 |
CONTENTS
Resilient Communities Introduction
- Overview of the Community
- Aim and Objectives
- Activation of the Plan
- General information
- Useful Links and Contacts
Resilient Communities
Resilient Communities is an initiative supported by local, Scottish and UK Government, the principles of which are communities and individuals harnessing and developing local response and expertise to help themselves during an emergency in a way that complements the response of emergency services and other emergency responders.
Emergencies can include severe weather, floods, landslides, fires and major transport accidents. Preparing your community and your family for these type of events will make it easier to recover following the impact of an emergency.
Being aware of the risks that you as a community or family may encounter, and who within your community might be able to assist, could make your community better prepared to cope with an emergency.
Local emergency responders will always have to prioritise those in greatest need during an emergency, especially where life is in danger. During these times you, as a community, need to know how to help yourself and those around you until assistance arrives.
A resilient community is achieved by using a framework called a Resilient Community Plan; this is specific to the community council area and can be split down into local maps, flood maps, risk assessment, asset register, insurance information and general guidance for individuals or the community
The ethos of the plan is to formulate and co-ordinate voluntary support and assistance and direct this to those that require it within a community, in a non-mechanised manner of response.
It should be noted that the Resilient Communities Plan is not there to reduce or replace a response from the local authority or the emergency services but should complement and support the overall response.
The ethos of the plan is to engender preparedness in line with advice and assistance from the resilient community. It is suggested that this plan is read along with information in the Fife Council website following the link: http://www.fifedirect.org.uk and following links to community resilience.
1. Overview of the Community
1.1 Location of area
Balmullo is located in North East Fife. Bounded in the north by Lucklaw Hill, with its quarry facing south. Access points are through the A914 road running north east to south west from St Michaels to the Dairsie roundabout, and from Toll Road leading to Leuchars railway station to the east. These access points can all be blocked during bad weather due to flooding.
1.2 Historic incidents affecting the community
The proximity of the Leuchars airbase meant that there was a significant presence of aeroplanes over Balmullo. There were no emergency incidents affecting the area and the air activity has considerably reduced since the RAF were replaced by the army at the base.
During the incidence of very heavy rain recently (particularly on 27th December 2023) the access roads were blocked for a number of hours, thus preventing entry into the village. Once the rain ceased the flood points drained relatively quickly. Sudden heavy snowfalls can cause issues at the north end of the village with its steep hill leading up to Quarry Road.
Power cuts have occasionally affected Balmullo and are usually fixed within a short time. An exception was in January 2013 with power being out for most of the day.
An unusual incident occurred in October 2023, when suspected explosive devices were discovered in a garden in Smithy Lane. This resulted in houses being evacuated and a bomb disposal squad being summoned. In the event, the devices were found to be not live.
2. Aims and Objectives
2.1 Aim of the Community Emergency Plan
The aim of this plan is to help the community of Balmullo prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies in a way that complements the work of the emergency responders.
2.2 Objectives of the Community Emergency Plan
The objectives of this plan are to:
- Raise awareness and understanding of the local risk and emergency response provision in order to motivate and support self-resilience
- Increase individual, family and community resilience against potential threats and hazards
- Support and encourage effective and ongoing dialogue between the community and the emergency responders supporting them
- Provide a framework and support to enable the creation, delivery and activation of a resilient community plan
3. Activation of the plan
3.1 Initial activation
Any activation of the plan will be dependent on the emergency incident facing the community and individuals of Balmullo.
The Emergency Co-ordinator, or either of the Deputy Co-ordinators, can make a decision to call a meeting of the Community Council Emergency Response Group in order to:
- establish if a response is necessary
- determine the nature of the response
- nominate a key representative to link in with the wider resilience community and facilitate local activities and actions
- deliver the response determined
- select the most appropriate resources from the Resources Register which will be required and the order in which they should be deployed
3.2 Community Council Emergency Committee
Emergency Co-ordinators:
| Contact | Role | Tel no |
| Colin Finlay | Emergency co-ordinator | 07828 547395 |
| Mike Fearon | Deputy to above | 07879 339291 |
| Andrew Donald | Deputy to above | 07871 574397 |
Emergency Committee:
The members of the community council are all available to attend and support local activity and the activation of this plan.
Emergency Response Group (ERG):
In the event of an emergency that requires the physical attendance and activity of personnel from the Emergency Committee to form an Emergency Response Group the Emergency Co-ordinator will advise the Fife Council Emergency Planning Officer and activate the call out process for volunteers to deal with the matter in hand. It is good practice to record the activities involved, ie times and decisions made with the rationale explaining the activity.
3.3 Call-out stages of Activation ‘pyramid’
- Member of the committee made aware of incident
- Meeting of Emergency Response Group (ERG) in person or by phone to discuss the matter
- Analysis of the situation
- Determine whether or not an Emergency is called (Yes/No)
- Record deliberations
If Yes,
- Contact Fife Council’s Duty Emergency Planning Officer to advise of issue, identify support required and any actions to be taken by ERG
- Confirm activity required
- ERG to carry out agreed and record progress
If No, agree monitoring requirements and contingency if conditions change.
- Record the nature of the matter and decisions made and be whom.
3.4 Action Card for Volunteers
| EXAMPLE VOLUNTEER ACTION CARD (Please refer to this card in the event you are requested to provide support during an emergency): Confirm, with the Emergency Co-ordinator, your availability to responseConfirm your contacts details for the duration of your responseWear appropriate clothing to suit the response/taskBe aware of your health & safety and of others during your responseDo not take unnecessary risks (request advice/support if in doubt)Raise concerns (other than 999 situations immediately with the CCEC) |
3.5 Communication
The ERG will use various methods to communicate this activity and its purpose to the community of Balmullo including:
- Word of mouth
- Advertising in local buildings
- Local radio
- Local community websites
- Local community meetings
- The local community council Facebook page
And other appropriate mechanisms as they become available.
4. General Information
4.1 Community Information
To be able to establish if a response is response is required and how any response(s) is prioritised it is essential that the Emergency Response Group has relevant community information. The ERG will
- Liaise directly with relevant Fife Council and other contacts
- Liaise with known community contacts
- Circulate information locally that the plan has been activated
It is acknowledged that obtaining information to guide and prioritise responses is a complex task. There can be no guarantee that the activation of any communication channel will result in all relevant information being made known to the ERG. However, it is anticipated that in an enduring emergency situation – e.g. sustained severe weather – that by passing information out locally utilising local radio and press that people in Balmullo will be aware of the activation of the ERG and have access to information on how to contact the group to obtain support, where required.
PLEASE NOTE SOME OF THESE ROLES BELONG TO OTHER AGENCIES AND POTENTIAL CONFLICT MUST BE GUARDED AGAINST
4.2 Recruiting volunteers
There is no formal structure for recruitment of volunteers to support this plan; however the existing Community Council members are likely to assist in the activities to assist emergency responders in the first instance.
The CC members know the local key community minded people and will actively seek tacit support through a variety of mechanisms i.e. word of mouth, normal social networking, attending groups and clubs and simply chatting with friends and colleagues. In addition, any persons reading this plan who are keen to lend their support can contact the co-ordinators to indicate their willingness to assist if they are free to do so at the time. The foreseen tasks are not arduous and will only be allocated along with others and where the community has a real need for help.
4.3 Other resources
Other specific resources may be required dependent on the emergency incident affecting the village area and an up to date register of the different types of businesses and equipment will be further developed and improved in time.
4.4 Insurance
The activities of the assigned volunteers will require to be covered by public liability insurance to handle any claims for loss, injury or damage brought by third parties and by employers’ liability insurance for any injuries sustained by the volunteers in the execution of the tasks.
The insurance cover currently in place for both Fife Council and for the Community Council provides cover for volunteers and this will extend to the assigned volunteers identified within the Community Emergency Plan. To ensure that the level and value of any such claims is mitigated as far as possible, all assigned volunteers must undergo appropriate training for all foreseeable tasks that they may be required to undertake. This training should be recorded and refreshed as appropriate with supporting documentation held on file. This will help to ensure that the volunteers have appropriate skills for the tasks assigned to them and will provide a defence to any claims that may arise as a result of the activities.
4.5 Disclosure checks
The duties that a volunteer is likely to undertake whilst supporting their community is unlikely to require a disclosure check. If a volunteer is required to enter a house it will be at the discretion of the householder and it is suggested that if volunteers have to enter a house they do so in pairs.
Similarly, if a volunteer is asked to pick up a prescription it is at the discretion of the person requiring it, and it should be stressed to the pharmacist that there should be no evidence of medicine on the bag or container.
4.6 Legal disclaimer regarding community responsibilities
Fife council wishes to make it clear that it is not the employing body for the volunteers referred to in this plan. They are volunteers, acting on behalf of the Community Council.
Fife Council accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury, claim, liability, costs or damages caused by the actions and/or negligence of the volunteers or anyone acting for or on behalf of them.
4.7 Health and Safety
The health and safety issue has to be taken cognisance of, but should not overwhelm the task; hence a common sense approach is stressed.
Health and Safety legislation doesn’t generally apply to someone who is not an employer, self-employed or an employee.
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the regulations made under it apply if any organisation (including a voluntary organisation) has at least one employee.
This Act sets out the general duties employers have towards employees. It also requires employers and the self-employed to protect people other than those at work (eg members of the public, volunteers, clients and customers) from risks to their health and safety arising out of, or in connection with, their work activities.
Whilst carrying out voluntary activities for the community, the Emergency Co-ordination Team and volunteers must be aware of health and safety guidance, which in this case due the likely activities, is a common sense approach. The task should be assessed, the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) should be selected and worn, and the task should be re-assessed during operation.
For example , when clearing snow, the area to be cleared should be checked to ensure that there are no hazards eg icicles that could drop onto the volunteers. The correct PPE for this task would be boots, gloves, hard hat and a fluorescent jacket.
4.8 Maintenance of the Plan
The CCEC will review and maintain this plan on an annual basis.
4.9 Further advice and guidance
For further useful links and contacts please refer to the table below:
5. Useful links and contact
| FIFE COUNCIL | ||
| Duty Emergency Resilience Officer | 01592 583 544 (24/7) | |
| Contact Centre | 03451 550000 (8am to 5pm Monday to Friday) | |
| Contact Centre – out of hours | 03451 550099(5pm to 8am Monday to Friday and 24/7 weekends and Public Holidays) | |
| Emergency Resilience Team | General Information Website | www.fifedirect.org.uk/emergencyplanning |
| Winter Mini-site | Useful information and updates over the winter months | www.fifedirect.org.uk/winter |
| Closure and Disruptions | 03451 551199 | www.fifedirect.org.uk/closures |
| FIFE COUCILLORS AND OTHER CONTACTS | ||
| Louise Kennedy-Dalby | 03451 555555 X430388 | cllr.louise.kennedy-alby@fife.gov.uk |
| Allan Knox | 03451 555555 X430501 | cllr.allan.knox@fife.gov.uk |
| Jonny Tepp | 07840 919 734 | cllr.jonny.tepp@fife.gov.uk |
| Gas Emergency | 0800 111 999 | www.nationalgrid.com.uk/gas |
| Scottish Power (Faults and Emergencies) | 0800 092 9290 | www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/power cuts.asp |
| Scottish Water | 0800 0778 778 | www.scottishwater.co.uk/contact-us |
| SEPA Floodline | 0345 988 1188 | www.floodlinescotland.org.uk |
| SEPA pollution | 0800 807 060 | |
| NHS 24 | 111 | www.nhs24.com |
| Traffic updates – Scotland | www.trafficscotland.com | |
| BBC Travel News – Edinburgh, Fife and East Scotland | Report an incident: 0330 123 0184 | www.bbc.co.uk/tracel/edinburghandeastscotland/incidents/road |
| Met Office Weather | www.metoffice.gov.uk | |
| Kingdon FM | News desk 01592 75 728 | www.kingdomfm.co.uk |
| Forth 1 | Reception 0131 556 9255 | www.forth1.com |
| Royal Voluntary Service (RVS) | Community Support from response to recovery 0845 608 0122 | www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk |