Following the crash of the Boeing 747 at Great Hallingbury in December 1999 the parish council were asked to revise the emergency plan for the village.

In formulating the plan the various possible types of incident were taken into account and admittedly an aircraft crash was foremost in our minds, although obviously others were considered.

These included a train crash on the Cambridge line, an incident on the M11 involving, for example, many casualties, chemical spillage or persons stranded in severe weather or severe weather, per se.

The plan was completed in June 2000 and over 40 copies distributed.. Surprisingly enough it is over fifty pages long and unfortunately it would be impossible to supply every household with a copy.  There is a copy in the post office should anyone wish to read it.  Updated versions were published and distributed in June 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.  Hopefully 2008 will follow soon but I am a little behind because of the Eco-town campaign.

In summary, the main points are as follows:-

We have surveyed all community and some private buildings in the parish and suggested how they may be used. In most instances this includes sketch plans, inventories of equipment and facilities available.

We have prepared a list of all people who have volunteered to help in terms of equipment, skills and talents.

We have identified a number of areas which are suitable for parking a large number of vehicles, particularly heavy ones, which can be used by the emergency services as rendezvous points.

We have devised the post of ‘Village Co-ordinator’ and three deputies who will have responsibility for initiating the emergency plan and liasing with the Uttlesford Emergency Planning Officer.

We have devised a ‘call out’ system for informing key people in the plan.

We have sited an incident box in OSCA containing Ordinance Survey Maps, copies of the electoral roll, and other  useful items which can be distributed to the Emergency Services and other interested parties when required.

In preparing the plan we have acknowledged that whilst it has to be flexible there are a number of basic principles we can observe.

Firstly, as a community we can make things worse, even though we may think we are acting with the best of intentions. A prime example of this is that everybody by instinct, (and this often includes the emergency services), rushes to the scene to help. Very often we are not either equipped or have the necessary skills to be of any positive use. It has happened on many occasions that cars and other vehicles have been abandoned by the roadside because they cannot be taken further. These in turn have blocked access to emergency vehicles with the result that, for example, ambulances cannot get close and casualties cannot be removed. This is why the Emergency Services have rendezvous points so that their resources can be fed in as needed.

Secondly, our roll as a community is to be available to advise and assist the Emergency Services should we be required. This is most likely to be in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. Our buildings are not suitable for prolonged use and the Uttlesford Emergency Plan has identified further appropriate premises outside the parish. Our skills and equipment are likely to be superseded by professionals as things become more organised.

Thirdly, rather that wait for the Emergency Services to ask for our help, we will be proactive and as soon as possible after an incident has occurred, the Village Co-ordinator will inform them that we have an emergency plan and seek to liase with them from the outset.

Subject to where the incident occurs, OSCA, the School, the Village Hall and the Church Hall will be opened at once as a matter of course. If the Emergency Services do not wish to subsequently use them, then nothing is lost.

The Village Co-ordinator and deputies will make themselves available at OSCA, which we have suggested to the Emergency Services as a suitable forward command centre. It will be up to the Incident Officer, (normally a senior police officer), to call upon the services of people in the village who have offered specific help, for example those with equipment, skills, etc.

All other people who have not been given a specific job to do and wish to offer their help should go to OSCA and if needed will be tasked accordingly. Remember, please do not use vehicles to get there if at all possible.

The Village Co-ordinators and deputies are:-

1. Bill Bates - 01279 850 695 (Co-ordinator)
2. Ken Sammons - 01279 850 430
3. David Morson - 01279 850 209
4. Ted Wilsher 01279 850 972

At the risk of being inundated with calls, if you become aware of an major incident as well as informing the emergency services via 999, please contact one of the above as soon as possible.

You should try to pass the following information if you can -

Finally, in the sincere hope that we never have to use the plan, thank you to all who have helped to produce it.  If you have recently come to the village and are willing to offer skills equipment or are just able to help in any way please telephone me, Bill Bates on the above number.