VERV

OPERATIONAL FLOOD PLAN

‘Flooding - you can’t prevent it but, you can better prepare for it.’

Western Emergency Preparedness Group

MULTI-AGENCYFLOOD PLAN

2

AMENDMENT RECORD

Please ensure that this record is maintained to keep the contents up-to-date

Version Date Description of AlterationsOctober 2016

Version approved by SCEPNovember 2016 Amended to include WEPG information and approval

sought via theWEPG Flooding & Severe Weather GroupDecember 2016

Discussion at WEPG to seek endorsementDecember 2016 Approval at WEPG Meeting. Add in links to Rivers

Agency Flood Maps and hydrometric sites ( Section 1.7). Uploaded to RD

January 2017 Amended to include Clady River Level Alert StationJanuary 2017 Amended to include Public Health Agency role detailFebruary 2017 Amended to include additional Clady River and

Colebrooke Level Alert information

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

CAC Community Assistance Centre

CCG (NI) Civil Contingencies Group NI

CCPB Civil Contingencies Policy Branch

CRT Coastguard Rescue Team

DAERA Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs

DfC Department for Communities

DfI Department for Infrastructure

3

EPCO Emergency Planning Co-ordination Officer

EPG Emergency Preparedness Group

FLG Flood Liaison Group

FSSG Flood Strategy Steering Group

FSWWG Flooding & Severe Weather Working Group

LGD Lead Government Department

MARF Multi-Agency Recovery Forum

MCA Maritime & Coastguard Agency

MIMMS Major Incident Medical Management and Support

MOACC Met Office Advisor Civil Contingencies

NIAS Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

NICCMA NI Central Crisis Management Arrangements

NIFRS Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service

NSWWS National Severe Weather Warning Service

PEDU Performance Efficiency Development Unit

PSNI Police Service of Northern Ireland

RCRG Regional Community Resilience Group

SAR Search and Rescue

SFRA Significant Flood Risk Area

SITREPS Situation Reports

TEO The Executive Office

Riparian – the interface between a water course and the adjacent land. A Riparian Owner, under common law is the

owner of any watercourse within or adjacent to the boundaries of their property.

Riparian Owner Responsibilities - riparian owner responsibilities include the maintenance of the bank and bed of their section of watercourse, in order to avoid any obstruction of flow in the watercourse.

Drainage Agencies – DfI Rivers Agency, NI Water, DfI TransportNI

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER NUMBER DETAIL PAGE NUMBER

Chapter 1 Introduction 5

Chapter 2 Weather Monitoring & Flood Risk Assessment

8

Chapter 3 Co-ordination 13

Chapter 4 Multi-Agency Response 16

4

Chapter 5 Vulnerable Individuals & Sites 17

Chapter 6 Evacuation 18

Chapter 7 Sandbag Provision 19

Chapter 8 Stand-down, Handover and Recovery

20

Appendices

Appendix 1: Map of the WEPG area

Appendix 2: Framework for co-ordination of Flooding Emeregencies

Appendix 3: Teleconference Protocol

Appendix 4: Roles & Responsibilities

Appendix 5: Organisational Roles relevant to Flood Warning Impact

Appendix 6: Vulnerable sites in WEPG area identified by the Risk Assessment

Appendix 7: Mutual Aid Agreement ( Draft)

Appendix 8: Flood Risk Areas in the WEPG Area.Action Cards for Flood Risk Areas and Sectors of Omagh.Area of Study based on the Flood Risk Management Plans. Alert Station Information

Appendix 9: Community and Multi- Agency Sandbag Locations

Appendix 10: Transport NI Guidance on the distribution of sandbags

Appendix 11: Rivers Agency Guidance on the Distribution of Sandbags

Appendix 12: Public Advice information relevant to flooding properties

21-62

1.0 INTRODUCTION1.1 Purpose

General Information

1.1 IntroductionThis Multi Agency Flood Response Plan has been developed by the Flooding and Severe Weather Working Group of the Western Emergency Preparedness Group (EPG) whose membership includes:

Police Service of Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service

5

HM Coastguard Met Office BT Red Cross

Derry City & Strabane District Council

Fermanagh & Omagh District Council

Mid Ulster District Council

Rivers Agency NI Water NI Housing Executive Other relevant organisations

1.2 AimThis plan aims to detail the pre-planned response, as a result of a National Severe Weather Warning for rainfall being issued which will result in significant flooding impact. It outlines the graduated incident and co-ordinated inter-agency response to a potential or actual flooding event in the Western EPG area (see map of the area covered at Appendix 1).

1.3 ObjectivesThe objectives of the plan are to: Identify activation triggers for responding to a heavy rainfall warning or flooding incident Document the actions to be taken on receipt of a heavy rainfall warning or flooding incident Set out the process for a co-ordinated response including the graduated incident management of a potential or actual

flooding event Ensure a common understanding of the potential impacts of a major flooding event in the EPG area and act as a

reference document for all the agencies involved to provide a pre-planned response at various levels of flood risk Detail areas most at risk from flooding Detail organisational information relating to role, responsibility, response and resources for flooding.

1.4 Detail of the planDetails in the plan concentrate on the operational aspects of emergency flood response, e.g. protecting life and property and managing the flooding response and recovery phases. Reference is made where appropriate to relevant emergency planning procedures. However, the plan does not cover these procedures in detail as existing emergency plans within organisations and government agencies already adequately cover these. The actions of each organisation are listed under Appendix 4 of this plan but as every situation is different these are more of a reference rather than a compulsory list of activities.

1.5 Types of flooding eventsThe main types of flooding event referred to in this plan are:-

TYPES FLUVIAL (River) PLUVIAL (surface water) GROUNDWATER (High water table) OUT OF SEWER (Due to infrastructure issues of capacity or functionality to the Sewerage Network).

1.6 Levels of flooding emergenciesFlooding emergencies have varying impacts and consequences, and range from a local incident to one having an impact across the region. These emergencies can be split into three broad categories based on the level of strategic co-ordination at central government level required to manage the response. These are detailed in Appendix 2 - “Framework for co-ordination of Flooding Emergencies”.

1.7 Risk of FloodingFlooding hotspots in the Western EPG area have been identified by liaison with the drainage agencies, Rivers Agencys Flood Maps NI, https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/articles/contents-flood-maps-ni and the Flood Risk Management Plans. This can be found at Appendix 8.Across Northern Ireland there are 160 river level instruments that can provide “near real time” information regarding water levels at a number of rivers. These can be accessed at: http://netview.ott.com/Rivers_Agency_Hydrometric_Network/

6

1.8 Linkages to other Multi-Agency DocumentsThis document outlines the arrangements for responding to a Flooding Incident in the Western EPG area to ensure that a co-ordinated response is provided from all the agencies involved. A separate Coastal Flood Plan exists to cover the risk of Coastal Flooding in the area.

This document is complementary to the Northern Ireland over-arching emergency plans and protocols and the range of single agency and multi-agency plans which exist in the Western EPG area as shown on the diagram below:

Northern Ireland Civil Contingencies Framework & NI Multi-Agency Plans e.g. local co-ordination, escalation, vulnerable people, fuel, epizootic disease, pandemic flu etc.

Public Information &

Media

Emergency Contacts Directory

Multi-Agency Emergency Response

Framework

Emergency Support Centres

Voluntary & Business

Capabilities TBC

Mass FatalitiesTBC

RecoveryTBC

Telecommunications TBC

Local Protocols for Specific

Hazards TBCFlooding Coastal

FloodingSevere Weather

TBC

Other key sites (template plan

available)Airports/Ports

Offsite plans e.g. COMAH, reservoirs

Community Emergency Plans

Business Continuity

Plans

Major Incident Plans

Mutual Aid Plans

Operational and Service

Plans

Generic

Specific Hazard

Site Specific

Internal Organisational Plans

EPGMulti-

AgencyPlans

*Those listed as TBC do not currently exist in any format

This plan has been used as a template for each of the Emergency Preparedness Groups in Northern Ireland. The five plans combine to provide a multi agency flood response plan for all the areas at risk of flooding in Northern Ireland.

1.9 Validation and TrainingThe validation of this plan should be included in the ongoing exercise programme for the Western Emergency Preparedness Group.

Upon agreement of the plan at a multi-agency level, individual organisations should conduct a Training Needs Analysis to identify any training required within their organisation to ensure the delivery of their responsibilities within the plan.

1.10 Ownership and Review This is a multi-agency plan which was produced by the Western Emergency Preparedness Group Flooding & Severe Weather Working Group. This document will be subject to continuous review by this group and will be updated to reflect learning from incidents and exercises and any amendments to best practice. The plan will be reviewed after each activation and in whole every three years.

While each organisation will make very best efforts to anticipate and mitigate the possibility of flooding by carrying out the various actions incumbent on them, it must be recognised that natural events can occur on some occasions with little or no specific warning and may result in consequences that are not easily foreseen or avoided. This plan is a reflection

7

of the way the organisations will strive to work together on a voluntary basis. They are neither a binding agreement nor a contract.

2.0 WEATHER MONITORING AND FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENT

2.1 IntroductionA key component of a successful multi-agency flood plan is the monitoring of and response to severe weather warnings and any potential or actual flooding as a result of the severe weather.

The Met Office monitors the weather 24/7 and 365 days per year. On some occasions, severe weather events are identified which may bring a risk to life and /or property and which will necessitate some form of multi-agency flood response.

The National Severe Weather Warning Service (NSWWS) is the mechanism through which the Met Office warns the public and responding agencies when such weather is expected.

8

During the spring of 2011 and following extensive consultation with the public and responders the Met Office made a number of significant changes to the NSWWS. The most significant of these being that the NSWWS became an entirely impact based warning service – no longer tied solely to meteorological thresholds.

2.2 Warning MethodologyThe Met Office will assess the likelihood of an impact causing event occurring. This will be assessed as Very Low, Low, Medium or High.

The potential impact will then be assessed as either Very Low Impact, Low Impact, Medium Impact or High Impact. The event will then be plotted on an impact matrix – an example of which is below and available on the Met Office website (when a warning is valid) at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/uk_forecast_warnings.html (Figure 1).

© Crown copyright Met Office

Impact Matrix

We then plot them on the risk matrix

HIGH

MED

LOW VERY LOW

VERY LOW

LOW MEDIUM HIGH

IMPACT

LIKELIH

OO

D

Then assign a colour to the warning which is a combination of potential impact and likelihood

Figure 1

9

© Crown copyright Met Office

Severe Weather WarningsColour Codes

TAKE ACTIONRemain extra vigilant, keep up to date with latest forecast. Follow orders and any advice given by authorities and be prepared for extraordinary measures

BE PREPAREDRemain vigilant, keep up to date with latest forecast and take precautions where possible

BE AWARERemain alert and keep up to date with latest forecast

NO SEVERE WEATHER EXPECTEDKeep up to date with latest forecast

Figure 2

In addition to the Impact matrix above (figure 1) the Met Office will also provide a forecaster assessment of the warning. This will explain why the warning has been issued and discuss briefly where any uncertainty lies e.g. timing/spatial extent etc. It will be in clear, non-technical language.

2.3 Other Terminology & Graphics- Issues more than 24 hours before an event will be referred to as Alerts. - Issues less than 24 hours before an event will be referred to as Warnings. NB: All issues whether more or less than 24 hours before an event will be referred to as a Warning from later this year (2016).

Forecasters are encouraged, where at all possible to issue warnings during normal working hours.

Low impact Yellow level warnings will continue to be web-based only and should be accessed by responders as part of the normal risk assessment protocols and horizon scanning on a regular basis. It is recommended that responders check the Met Office website at the beginning of the working day and again around lunch-time for any updates. This of course also needs to take place at weekends and on public holidays. Medium or high impact yellow warnings (column 3 or 4 on the matrix) are, since September 2014 now ‘pushed’ to responders via whichever method they have selected to receive warnings (email /SMS text message etc).

Amber and Red warnings will be issued or ‘pushed’ to responders.

In order to assist with the likely impact of a particular event the Met Office have developed a series of tables, available to the public and responders detailing the likely impacts associated with Very Low, Low, Medium and High Impact events. The public impact matrix is available on the Met Office website at http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/advice/ .

A table for responders has also been developed and a suggested likely level of response. The section pertaining to heavy rain has been reproduced here. It is stressed though that this advice is not prescriptive and is for guidance only to aid decision making.

10

Table: Potential impacts associated with heavy rain for responders.

Impact Level Very Low Low Medium HighImpact and advice associated with rain.

Localised flooding of low-lying land and susceptible roads.

A few transport routes affected.

Road conditions affected with localised spray and some standing water.

Localised flooding of homes and businesses and susceptible roads

Some transport routes and travel services affected. Some journeys require longer travel times.

Road conditions affected by spray and standing water.

Localised and short term disruption to utilities and services

Flooding of homes and businesses.

Danger to life from fast flowing/deep water.

Damage to buildings/ structures.

Transport routes and travel services affected. Longer journey times expected. Some road closures.

Difficult road conditions due to spray and standing water

Interruption to utilities and services.

Some communities temporarily inaccessible due to flooded access routes.

Widespread flooding of homes and businesses.

Danger to life from fast flowing/deep water.

Extensive damage to and/or collapse of buildings/ structures

Transport routes and travel services disrupted for a prolonged period. Long travel delays.

Widespread road closures.

Dangerous driving conditions due to spray and standing water.

Prolonged disruption to or loss of utilities and services

Communities become cut off for a prolonged period, perhaps several days, due to flooded access routes.

Note particularly that medium impacts from flooding (column 3 events on the matrix) can occur with yellow ‘be aware’ warnings. It simply means that the likelihood is somewhat lower. So while the colour of the warning gives a general idea of advice (Be aware, Be Prepared etc) the position of a warning on the matrix may also give important information as to what level of impacts are possible and subsequently the potential response that may be required.

11

Example of Map representation of warnings on Met Office Website:

Below is an example of how such alerts and / or warnings will be displayed on the Met Office website. It can be seen that Council level boundaries have now been included on the map. This will assist responders in assessing where the most significant impacts are expected.

Figure 3

2.4 Weather And Warnings SummaryWhile the Met Office will endeavour to warn as far in advance as possible of severe or extreme weather events, the vagaries of the atmosphere mean on some rare occasions warnings of such weather events will be short notice. This is particularly the case for summer time flash flood (thunderstorm) events where disruption is often very localised and on some occasions limited to a very specific geographical area within a council area – perhaps even limited to a specific community development.

2.5 Met Office Advisor Civil Contingencies (MOACC)The Met Office has a countrywide network of Civil Contingency Advisors (MOACC) who monitor the weather and deliver the Public Weather Service in their regions of responsibility. The MOACC in Northern Ireland is available during normal working hours Monday to Friday and on a best endeavours basis outside normal working hours both at night and weekends. Where at all possible the MOACC is available to liaise closely with the responding agencies ahead of, during and in the aftermath of severe weather events.

2.6 Regional, Sub-Regional & Local Severe Weather Teleconferencing FacilityOn some occasions, when significant disruption is deemed possible or likely, the MOACC or another Agency will initiate a Regional Teleconference of responding agencies. Depending on the identified issues, this may be at a local/sub-regional level or may be at a regional level. In keeping with recent CCG(NI) protocols for local level response and escalation of the multi-agency response (2014) – the teleconference may start at a local level and be escalated in accordance with laid down procedures either to a regional teleconference or indeed to a level, if necessary which involves or may necessitate a central government response. Where a regional teleconference occurs, local multi-agency conference calls may occur afterwards.

Where possible, this teleconference will be in a reasonable time frame before any potentially disruptive event. It may involve personnel from the emergency services, drainage agencies, local and central government, utility operators and others as applicable.

12

The teleconference will allow contributions from all the relevant agencies and facilitate discussions regarding each agencies anticipated response and preparation. It is anticipated that on occasions when teleconferencing occurs, information will be cascaded down to individual councils by the relevant EPCO via a sub-regional conference call to include the councils within their EPG area. Following this, local multi-agency conference calls may occur.

A teleconference protocol and an example agenda is provided at Appendix 3.

2.7 Flooding Incidents – Emergency Response Co-ordinationThe Met Office will issue where possible a severe weather warning and may subject to consultation with other relevant agencies ask for the Council or PSNI to facilitate a multi-agency conference call. All relevant agencies will be asked to participate in this call and detail their arrangements for possible flooding including where relevant placing their staff on stand by or pre deploying.

It is vital to quickly establish early dialogue in order to assess the combined multi-agency response based upon the severe weather warning issued by the Met Office.

13

FLOODING OR THE RISK OF FLOODING

HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED

Minor EventRivers Agency, NI

Water or Transport NI responds

Can flood responding agency manage response?

Multi-agency co-ordination is

required

Is there risk to life? e.g.

coastal flooding

PSNI contacted and facilitates multi-agency co-ordination - LOCAL

PSNI / LG Convenes Regional Meeting

Y

N

Y N

LG contacted and facilitates multi-agency co-ordination – (LOCAL Event)

Has risk to life been

identified?

Is Regional co-

ordination required?

Is Regional co-

ordination required?

Y Y

Has the potential for escalation to a Level 1 Emergency been identified?

Y

Yes - Level 2/3

LEVEL 2/3 EventTEO invokes the NI Central Crisis

Management ArrangementsDfI MERP Activated

Local / Tactical co-ordination continues in support of strategic layer above.

N

LOCAL EventLG facilitates multi-agency co-ordinationN

LOCAL EventPSNI facilitates

multi-agency co-ordination

Y

LEVEL 1 EventDfI Chairs Meeting

DfI is LGD – DfI MERP ActivatedLocal / Tactical co-ordination

continues in support of strategic layer above.

Yes - Level 1

Escalation to Level 2/3

Has the need for escalation been agreed?

“In a coastal or other very significant flood event, the situation may escalate

directly from Local to Level 2/3

Assessment Group may convene (including via

teleconference) to facilitate decision

making

3.0 CO-ORDINATION

3.1 Definition of a major flooding event (Local, Level 1 or Level 2).A major flooding event is one where there is widespread flooding that is beyond the response capability of the three drainage agencies and involves the flooding of a significant number of properties, a threat of death or serious injury, or significant disruption to key parts of the area’s infrastructure. Issues that may arises include:

Evacuation of residential properties Initial rescue and treatment of a large number of casualties or evacuees Handling a large volume of enquiries from both the public and the media The distribution of sandbags to protect business, residential properties and critical infrastructure The closure of major roads and diversion of traffic.

This plan deals with those major flooding events where the consequences are such that the Drainage Agencies alone cannot deal with the event. In these circumstances a wider multi-agency response will be required and therefore multi-agency co-ordination will be necessary to address issues such as:

Prioritising requests where there is a risk to life Prioritising resources to vulnerable groups and individuals Prioritising support where numerous locations have been flooded Providing practical support such as flood defence equipment Providing humanitarian assistance such as emergency support centres.

3.2 Co-ordinationThe Framework for Co-ordination of Flooding Emergencies in Appendix 2 sets out the provision of expertise and co-ordination arrangements to the 4 levels of flooding emergency.

The general arrangements for multi-agency co-ordination are outlined in the ‘CCG(NI) Protocol for Escalation of the Multi-Agency Response’ and the ‘CCG(NI) Protocol for Multi-Agency Co-ordination of Local Level Response and Recovery’. These protocols allow for multi-agency assessment, co-ordination, communication, the development of a common information picture and the escalation of co-ordination to regional and strategic levels.

When the emergency situation has stabilised and the requirement moves to the co-ordination of recovery measures, the PSNI, if involved will hand over co-ordination to the relevant local Council(s). The mechanism for this handover is outlined in the EPG Multi-Agency Recovery plan. (draft)

The flow diagram below outlines the key elements in terms of coordination of all major incidents.

3.3 Multi-agency conference call/meetingThe topics to be discussed and/or agreed by all organisations during the multi-agency conference call/meeting include:

Provision of an update on relevant information, alerts and recommendations from all organisations

Has risk to life subsequently been identified?

14

Agreement of the co-ordination arrangements which need to be established i.e. conference call, co-location, level of co-ordinating group

Whether a warning needs issued to the public and what the content of this should be Availability or resources of each of the agencies and any requests for assistance that should be made What pre-deployment (if any) is required Whether an evacuation of area(s) at risk is required. If so, what locations? What individuals and groups are most vulnerable? A risk assessment should be conducted and needs should be

prioritised in line with the Vulnerable People’s Protocol (Refer to Section 5). What arrangements will be put in place to assist them? Record and communicate all decisions.

What support arrangements are required to be pre-agreed, placed on standby or pre-deployed including rescue resources, cordons and emergency support centres

Closure of any areas to prevent public access and consideration of any additional security/monitoring arrangements required in evacuated areas

Whether any further escalation is required i.e. strategic group or request for the NI Central Crisis Management Arrangements (NICCMA).

3.4 Multi-agency Co-ordination CentreIf the decision is made to establish a multi-agency Tactical Co-ordinating Group for this EPG area it will be located atone of the 4 designated multi agency emergeicy co-ordination centres . The roles and responsibilities of the Tactical Co-ordinating Group are outlined in the W EPG Multi-Agency Responders Framework.

3.5 Escalation and Regional Co-ordination

If multiple Tactical Co-ordinating Groups are established across Northern Ireland requiring Strategic co-ordination for Level 1 events DfI can activate a Strategic Co-ordinating Group at Department for Infrastructure Headquarters, Clarence Court, 10-18 Adelaide Street, Belfast, BT2 8GB.

If it is deemed necessary to escalate further in a Level 2 or 3 emergency and establish a Strategic Co-ordinating Group for the regional level and the NICCMA arrangements are required this escalation will be in line with the Civil Contingencies Group (NI) protocols for mulit agency co-ordination of local level response and recovery and the protocol for escalation of the multi-agency response.

4.0 MULTI-AGENCY RESPONSE

4.1 Organisations & Agencies Involved

15

The following organisations may be involved in the response to a major flooding event. Property owners are listed as it is their responsibility to protect their own property from flooding.

Rivers Agency NI Water TransportNI Department for Infrastructure NI Fire & Rescue Service Local Council(s) PSNI HM Coastguard NIAS Northern Ireland Electricity Networks British Telecom NI Housing Executive Public Health Agency/Health & Social Care Board Local Health & Social Care Trust(s) The Executive Office Voluntary organisations such as British Red Cross Media and public information services Property owners

Detailed roles and responsibilities are provided in Appendix 4 and Appendix 5.

4.2 Flooding Incident Line Drainage Agency response efforts will be directed in accordance with reports received through the flooding incident line.

The single number – 0300 2000 100 - provides the public with one point of contact to report that their property or area is flooded or flooding. The number is available 24 hours a day and will provide a service to the citizen where they can call and report a flood. The call will be logged and passed to the relevant drainage agency (Rivers Agency, Transport NI, NI Water).

16

5.0 VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS AND SITES

5.1 Vulnerable IndividualsIn line with the CCG(NI) Vulnerable People Protocol, at the outset of the response detailed consideration must be given to who would be vulnerable in these circumstances or may become so.

Local Health & Social Care Trusts maintains a list of individuals in receipt of social services support and various utilities organisations maintain critical care lists of people who may require additional assistance. These organisations should review their lists for the at risk areas and identify any individuals who would require additional assistance in these circumstances. A list of assistance required should then be discussed and arranged with the relevant agencies.

Note - In the interest of patient safety, data protection can be overridden although details of the patient’s medical condition would not be shared unless it could be demonstrated that it was in the best interest of the patient.

Where possible in the time frame and with the available resources, door to door visits should be undertaken in the areas at risk to provide guidance to residents and to identify any individual requiring additional assistance. Any requests for assistance should be fed back to the Tactical Co-ordinating Group to aid planning.

5.2 Vulnerable Sites Vulnerable sites within the areas at risk as identified by the WEPG Flooding & Severe Weather Group have been provided in Appendix 6. These sites should be contacted, advised of the risk and their response documented in relation to the actions they plan to take and any assistance they are seeking.

17

6.0 EVACUATION

During some flooding instances it may be necessary to advise the public to leave their homes. The PSNI will usually co-ordinate the evacuation of properties, on advice from the responding agencies and define the area to be evacuated. In ALL cases the multi agency emergency support centre protocols should be invoked.

The relevant local Council(s) and Health & Social Services Care Trust(s) should be contacted with the following information if available:

The approximate number of evacuees Where the evacuees are coming from Other possible incidents of flooding in the area Any special needs of the evacuees, i.e. will any care home, nurseries or hospitals be evacuated?

It should be noted that the PSNI do not have the power to insist that evacuation must take place. Also, the security of evacuated premises is the responsibility of the local police.

PSNI can establish their Casualty Bureau service if there are large numbers of casualities or fatalities in relation to the flooding. Evacuees will be encouraged to make contact with their friends and family. Evacuee details will be taken within the Emergency Support Centres.

6.1 Evacuation and shelterEvacuation will be discussed if appropriate, at the first multi-agency meeting. If not considered immediately necessary it will need to be regularly reviewed thereafter.

6.2 Evacuation ProcessPSNI will co-ordinate the evacuation and it will begin in the areas at most immediate risk and then extend away from the risk. The numbers of residents, rendezvous points, evacuation routes and pick-up points need to be considered for each area.

All agencies should be aware that roads which may be required for transporting their own staff or evacuees may not be passable.

6.3 Refusal to evacuateResidents should be encouraged to leave as early as possible. However, it is quite common that some householders decline to leave their premises, for example some senior citizens and some householders with pets. It should be pointed out to these residents that if the situation worsens they may want to change their minds in which circumstances they may be putting themselves and others at risk especially in cases where they need assistance from one of the emergency services. However, it should be borne in mind that the decision to evacuate is a matter of choice for the resident.

6.4 Commercial concerns and industrial premisesBusinesses in the area are likely to be very keen to protect or move valuable stock from the risk. It is their responsibility to assess the risk and take whatever action they consider necessary.

18

7.0 SANDBAG PROVISION

7.1 Drainage Agencies Sandbag ProvisionThe Drainage Agencies have a limited supply of sandbags that are used primarily for the protection of vulnerable residential properties and critical infrastructure.

Sandbags will not be provided for protecting gardens, outbuildings or other structures that are not habitable. The Drainage Agencies, with assistance from local Councils within the local EPG area (if required and available) will, wherever possible, deliver sandbags to persons with a justified need so as far as resources and circumstances allow. Where sandbags are provided these become the responsibility of the person receiving them and the Agency/Council accepts no responsibility for putting the bags in place. The Flood Liaison Group (consisting of the three Drainage Agencies) have an agreement regarding the collection of sandbags.

Note: Transport NIs’ priority in relation to issuing of sandbags for the instances described above, will be to mitigate the impact of roads related flooding as far as practicable. In such circumstances sandbags will only be provided where there is an imminent risk of flooding and deemed as an appropriate measure by TransportNI staff. Requests for assistance/sandbags from other agencies will be acted upon depending on existing priorities in relation to roads related flooding. Sandbags will generally not be provided to anyone who calls in person to TransportNI depots or offices.

The TransportNI internal guidance on the distribution of sandbags is shown at Appendix 10.

7.2 Council /NIHE Sandbag ProvisionA stock of sandbags may also be kept at Council or NIHE premises. These are primarily used in flooding incidents where Council/NIHE property is at risk.

They also form part of the stocks held for major civil emergencies and can be released to the Drainage Agencies for general use to the public in major flooding incidents.

7.3 Sandbag Provision to RCRG SitesSandbag stores may also be pre deployed as part of Coummity Resilence initiatives/ agreements. A number of residents have access to open these stores to access sandbags for individual or community ‘self-help’.

7.4 Property owners own flood protection measuresProperty owners concerned about protecting their property can purchase Sandbags and other flood protection measures. These are normally available from local builders’ merchants but householders may require expert advice on what protection measures are appropriate for their properties.

7.5 Mutual Aid agreementsMutual Aid agreements may be agreed between relevant agencies. For example, further details with regard to Council Support is provided in Appendix 7 Mutual Aid Agreement between Rivers Agency, Transport NI, Northern Ireland Water and Local Government covering arrangements for Mutual Aid in the supply and deployment of agreed resources in the event of flooding.

7.6 Sandbag LocationsSandbag locations throughout NI area are detailed on Resilience Direct. This information is stored in the Regional Community Resilience Group’s folder.

19

8.0 STAND-DOWN, HANDOVER AND RECOVERY8.1 Stand-down/handover

In conjunction with the multi-agency partners, the local Council/PSNI/DfI will determine when it is appropriate to stand-down the response and/or discuss a handover to the recovery phase.

Where the PSNI is co-ordinating the initial response and recovery issues, the handover of co-ordination responsibility to the local Council for the recovery phase can occur by agreement at the most appropriate juncture. Where multi-agency co-ordination is already being provided by the local Council then they will retain this responsibility for the recovery phase to completion.

8.2 RecoveryThe WEPG Recovery Plan will outline the process for co-ordinating the multi-agency recovery effort. ( currently in draft form). To facilitate planning a Multi-Agency Recovery Forum (MARF) should be established early in the response by the local Council(s).

Advice for residents returning to flood damaged homes is provided in the Household flood plan. This information is stored in the Regional Community Resilience Group’s folder.

20

Appendix 1: MAP OF THE WEPG AREA

WEPG Area represented by the

21

Appendix 2: FRAMEWORK FOR CO-ORDINATION OF FLOODING EMERGENCIES

NB. This is currently being updated to reflect the changes to central and local government and a new version will be included in due course.

Introduction

1. The purpose of this paper is to set out a Framework for the provision of expertise and co-ordination of the multi-agency response to, and recovery from, flooding emergencies, as required under Action 5 of the CCG(NI) Resilience Programme.

2. The Framework relates only to flooding scenarios which constitute emergencies as defined in the NI Civil Contingencies Framework ie “an event or situation which threatens serious damage to human welfare, the environment or the security of Northern Ireland or the United Kingdom as a whole”. In the context of flooding “serious damage” is where a number of organisations are required to act to prevent, reduce, control or mitigate the emergency’s effects, or otherwise take action, and are unable to do this without changing the deployment of their resources or acquiring additional resources.

3. In line with the definition of emergency the Framework does not address day to day incidents that organisations deal with within their normal operational procedures and resources such as those minor flooding incidents that occur throughout the year, the consequences of which are managed effectively by the Drainage Agencies and NI Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) acting alone as provided for by the Flood Strategy Steering Group (FSSG) Best Practice Guidelines.

4. Given the nature of some flooding emergencies it is important that the Framework is applied flexibly, depending on prevailing circumstances, and in accordance with the duration of the different phases of the emergency. In some cases, especially flash / surface water flooding, the actual flood response phase can be of very short duration but the resultant damage will mean that most of the focus will be on the recovery phase.

5. This Framework is built on established core civil contingencies principles and consequently while designed to be used as a free standing document, it should be read in conjunction with the wider body of civil contingencies guidance eg ‘A Guide to Emergency Planning Arrangements in Northern Ireland’; the ‘NI Civil Contingencies Framework’; and key civil contingencies protocols and procedures eg the NI Central Crisis Management Arrangements Protocol; and the CCG(NI) Protocols for Multi-Agency Co-ordination of Local Level Response and Recovery; for Escalation of the Multi-Agency Response; and for Collaborative Communications.

6. This Framework recognises the difficulties associated with the response to flooding emergencies, not least that a

large number of public service organisations are involved in managing the consequences of flooding and so there is a need effectively to inform and co-ordinate this multi-agency effort.

Lead Arrangements

7. While the response to, and recovery from, the emergency will require many organisations each delivering their own responsibilities and functions the role of the Lead Government Department (LGD) is a key one. In terms of response the LGD is the department with the expert knowledge of the primary cause of the emergency ie flooding which can apply this knowledge to inform the response by formulating a prognosis, so allowing other emergency responders to understand the implications for their sectors/areas of responsibility and to take action accordingly.

8. Having access to this expertise is of paramount importance to the multi-agency response. However, the situation for flooding is complicated in that LGD designation varies between the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) and the Department for Regional Development (DRD) depending on the nature of the flood emergency in question. This is compounded by the fact that in the early stages of a flooding emergency it can be difficult to identify the source of the flooding and consequently to determine where lead

22

responsibility should lie. LGD responsibilities and designations are set out in the ‘Guide to Emergency Planning Arrangements in Northern Ireland’.

9. The PEDU Report – ‘Review of Response to Flooding on 27th and 28th June 2012’ recognised this difficulty,

and in so doing recommended that consideration should be given to the consolidation of all the flood response organisations under one departmental ambit. Pending a final outcome on this recommendation there is a need to agree an interim solution in the form of a default arrangement for LGD for flooding.

10. In recognition of the need to have a clearly identifiable LGD from the early stages of the emergency response, DARD has agreed to act as the default LGD for the response in the first instance to all flooding emergencies. All concerned accept that Lead status will be transferred as soon as there is evidence that the flooding incident is as a result of surface water and primarily relating to DRD’s or Northern Ireland Water’s infrastructure.

11. There is a difference between lead for the response and lead for the recovery. While in some cases the LGD can be the same for both response and recovery, it is likely in the case of flooding that a different department will take on the lead role for recovery. In such circumstances agreement will be reached between the two departments on the timing and manner of the handover.

12. The LGD can also be responsible for the co-ordination of the multi-agency response, but only where it is appropriate to do so based on the level of the emergency in question. The levels of emergency and the associated arrangements for co-ordination are set out below.

Levels of Flooding Emergency

13. Flooding emergencies cover a broad spectrum with varying impacts and consequences, and range from a purely local incident to one having an impact across the region. These emergencies can be split into three broad categories based on the level of strategic co-ordination at central government level required to manage the response. The co-ordination arrangements for each of these categories are considered below. Escalation of the response to the strategic level is determined in accordance with the terms of the CCG(NI) Protocol for Escalation of the Multi-Agency Response.

Co-ordination Arrangements

Local Level14. When the flooding is confined to a discrete local area, and/or where the scale and impact of its consequences do

not necessitate strategic management by central government, tactical co-ordination of the multi-agency response and recovery will be delivered in accordance with the terms of the CCG(NI) Protocol for Multi-Agency Co-ordination of Local Level Response and Recovery. This provides that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) will co-ordinate the initial multi-agency response to the flooding in circumstances where there is a perceived major and imminent threat to life. Otherwise, the co-ordination function will be facilitated by the relevant District Council or LGEMG. If it is considered more appropriate, a representative of the LGD (acting as necessary through its agencies) may chair these co-ordination meetings during the response phase. In any case, the LGD (again through its agencies) will have a key role in providing information and expertise at these meetings.

15. Co-ordination of the recovery will be facilitated by the District Councils. The chair of the multi-agency group co-ordinating the immediate response will agree with the district council when and how this responsibility will be transferred.

Level 1 – Significant Flooding16. At this level, strategic management by central government is required to deal with the impact of the flooding.

Strategic co-ordination is provided by the LGD which, under default arrangements, will be DfI Rivers Agency unless or until Lead status has been transferred to DRD due to the cause of the flooding event.

23

Level 2 - Serious Flooding 17. At this level, strategic management by central government is required to deal with the scale and impact of the

flooding. DfI as LGD can request support from OFMDFM whereby strategic co-ordination will be facilitated through NICCMA. Otherwise the need for NICCMA to be invoked will have been determined under the terms of the CCG(NI) Protocol for Escalation of the Multi-Agency Response.

18. The LGD will play a key role in CCG(NI) meetings in terms of the provision of information and expertise on the flooding.

Triggers and Activation19. The initial response to flooding will be at local level. Initial notification of flooding is most likely to come to the

Flooding Incident Line, the emergency services or directly to one of the Drainage Agencies. On receipt of notification, and if the scale of flooding is such that some form of multi-agency co-ordination is required, either the PSNI or the relevant District Council (or LGEMG if regional) can convene multi-agency conference calls/meetings to initiate co-ordination of the response and make an assessment of the actual and projected scale of the emergency.

20. The need for escalation will be assessed in accordance with the terms of the Protocol for Escalation of the Multi-Agency Response. The outcome of this assessment will be used to determine whether strategic co-ordination through central crisis management arrangements either by the LGD (Level 1 – Significant emergencies) or by NICCMA (Level 2 – Serious/Level 3 – Catastrophic emergencies) should be invoked.

Review and Lessons Learned21. It is the responsibility of each organisation involved in the response to flooding to review its actions in a

structured manner after the event to identify any lessons learned and to revise its plans accordingly. The LGD will ensure that a multi-agency review is carried out. Implications for multi-agency plans must be identified and an action plan put in place to deliver any necessary improvements.

22. Where central government co-ordination through NICCMA was invoked, CCPB will ensure that a multi-agency review is carried out, the implications for multi-agency plans are identified and that an action plan for improvement is put in place.

Flood Responsibilities Matrix22. Responsibilities for the discharge of these arrangements are set out in the Flood Responsibilities Matrix at

Annex A. The matrix has been designed as a quick reference guide which cross references the core functions of the emergency planning cycle (y axis) with the levels of emergency (x axis) so that each cell identifies the organisation with the responsibility for delivery of that function.

OFMDFM September 2014

24

FLOOD RESPONSIBILITIES MATRIX – RESPONSE-Annex A

5. REVIEW

This involves facilitation of a multi-agency review of the collective response (may link with review of the recovery).

Local Government or PSNI

(depending on which organisation

co-ordinated the response).

Supported by Lead Department

Lead Department

Supported by PSNI / Local Government.

NICCMA (CCG(NI))

Chaired by OFMDFM and

supported by Lead Government

Department(s) and other key responders.

DARD/ Rivers Agency

(Strategic Co-ordination)

Default in the first instance with transfer

to DRD as appropriate.

NICCMA (CCG(NI))(Strategic

Co-ordination) Chaired by

OFMDFM and supported by Lead

Government Department(s) and

other key responders.

4. CO-ORDINATION RESPONSE (where duration of response phase permits)

This involves co-ordination of the response to an emergency which has occurred or is anticipated. It does not include recovery or restoration of normality.

Local Government

OR

PSNI (where there is a

perceived major and imminent threat to

life).

Local Level Co-ordination

continues in support of the strategic layer

above

Local Level Co-ordination

continues in support of the strategic layer

above

3. PROVISION OF EXPERTISE

This is to inform the management of the response.

DARD /Rivers Agency

Default in the first instance with transfer

to DRD as appropriate.

DARD /Rivers Agency

Default in the first instance with transfer

to DRD as appropriate.

DARD / Rivers Agency

Default in the first instance with transfer

to DRD as appropriate.

2. COMMUNICATION

Co-ordination of communication prior to and during an emergency.

DARD /Rivers Agency Default in the

first instance with transfer to DRD as

appropriate.

Supported by PSNI / Local Government /

NIFRS

DARD /Rivers Agency

Default in the first instance with transfer

to DRD as appropriate.

Supported by PSNI / Local Government/

NIFRS

NICCMA (CCG(NI)) Chaired by

OFMDFM and supported by Lead

Government Department(s) and

other key responders.

DARD /Rivers Agency

Supported as necessary by other

key responders.

DARD /Rivers Agency Supported as

necessary by other key responders.

DARD /Rivers Agency Supported as

necessary by other key responders.

CORE FUNCTIONS

1. PREPARATION

This involves facilitating ongoing multi-agency planning to prepare for emergencies. Local Level 1 Significant Level 2 Serious /

Level 3 Catastrophic

LEVELS OF EMERGENCY

NOTE: The default LGD for the response phase is DARD Rivers Agency but will be reassigned as appropriate. A different department will co-ordinate the recovery

25

Appendix 3 – AUDIO CONFERENCE PROTOCOL

The Audio Conference call protocol has been taken from the Severe Weather Sub Regional Communications Strategy, June 2013.

Participants will be invited to join the Western EPG sub-regional conference call and will be provided with dial in details. The Chairperson (Council Chief Executive/EPCO) will set out ground rules for the audio conference:

Identify chairperson Identify participants Only one person should speak at anytime No side conversations or idle chatter Adopt a professional approach at all times Use mute facility when not speaking if there is background noise (*6 on telephone key pad) Be clear and concise

When joining a teleconference call please give name and role/function when prompted. After all the participants have joined the teleconference call, the Chairperson can do a ‘Conference Roll Call’ by entering #1 on the telephone keypad.

Before commencing the teleconference virtual meeting, the Chairperson should state what the meeting objectives are and clarify appropriate expected input from other participants and expected duration of call.Participants wanting to speak during the teleconference call must wait for a quiet period to announce themselves by giving their name and if appropriate role/function. Participants should indicate when appropriate if they are -

Remaining on the call Temporarily leaving the call and expected time of return Leaving the teleconference call

At the end of the teleconference call, the Chairperson should summarise agreed actions etc.

3.1 KEY ROLES DURING THE CONFERENCE CALL

Met Office Advisor Civil Contingencies to outline the nature of the warning and add relevant local detail.

Audio Conference ChairInvite participants to comment on the likely impact on their services and ask them to share mitigating actions. Agree if further audio conference meetings are required and if so decide timings.

ParticipantsCarry out actions as agreed in the conference call.

.

26

3.2 PARTICIPANTS

See Western EPG Contacts Directory. This is included on the WEPG Resilence Direct Folder

1. District Council(s) where applicable

2. Met Office

3. Police Service of Northern Ireland

4. Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service

5. Northern Ireland Ambulance Service

6. Maritime & Coastguard Agency

7. BT Northern Ireland

8. Northern Ireland Electricity Networks

9. Translink

10. Northern Ireland Housing Executive

11. Rivers Agency

12. NI Water

13. Transport NI

14. Local Health & Social Care Trust

15. Public Health Agency (H&SC Board)

16. British Red Cross

17. Flooding Incident Line

18. The Executive Office CCPB

19. DfC Local Government Division

20. Department of Education

21. Department for the Economy (DfE)

22. Executive Information Service (EIS)

23. Land and Property Services (LPS)

24. Department for Infrastructure (DfI)

25. ESB ( in the event of high levels in Lough Erne)

27

3.3 SUGGESTED AGENDA FOR SEVERE WEATHER EVENT CONFERENCE CALL

(extracted from Annex B of the CCG (NI) Protocol for Multi Agency Co-ordination of local Level

Response & Recovery)

MEETING OF THE MULTI-AGENCY CO-ORDINATION GROUP o Introduction of attendees, roles and responsibilities (as required)

o Declaration of items for urgent attention

----------------------------------------------------------------

Break out time to address items for urgent attention (if required)

----------------------------------------------------------------

1. Review and agree minutes of previous meeting

2. Purpose of Meeting

3. Assessment of Situation : Update from Relevant Organisations

4. Determine/Anticipate Impacts (Weather update and likely impact)

5. Vulnerabilities. Infrastructure, Vulnerable Premises/Persons, ( Cross Reference with Apeendix 6)

6. Co-ordination. Responsibility for Co-ordination, Co-ordination Centre, Assessment of requirements

7. Setting Objectives. Mission and Task objectives. (Long, medium and short term)

8. Responses. Capacity of lead departments and agencies, requirements for mutual aid, sources of mutual aid,

anticipation of other needs. Sources of support (Personnel/Equipment)

9. Media / Information to the Public/ Elected members/. Multi-agency lead for communication (Warning and

Informing)

10. Next Steps : Actions and Timescales for Delivery (Need for Escalation?)

11. AOB

12. Time of Next Meeting

Additional Considerarion for Western EPG Area :

- Cross Border impacts. Need to liaise with counterparts on a Cross Border basis

- Regional Community Resilience Contacts and Community Resilience Plans in DCSDC

- Activation of Welfare Assistance Telephone number for isolated residents in FODC

28

3.4 SUGGESTED STRATEGIC AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

Strategic Intention Notification in relation to:

Incident:

Date:

Time:

The current agreed priorities of the Strategic Co-ordinating Group are as follows:

Preserve and protect life

Preserve public health and public safety

Mitigate and minimise the impact of the incident

Inform the public and maintain public confidence

Prevent, detect and deter crime

Assist an early return to normality

Safeguard the environment

Facilitate and inform judicial, public, technical and other enquiries

Relieve suffering

Maintain normal services at an appropriate level

Contain the emergency, limiting its escalation and spread

29

3.5 AUDIO CONFERENCING CONTROLS

The default teleconference details for the Western EPG are as follows:

Operator assistance: Connects you with a live Conferencing operator

Conference help menu: Lists all of the touchtone commands available to you

Mute your line: Reduce background noise on the call if you are in a noisy environment; to unmute your line, press * 6 again

Chairperson-only commands

Play roll call: Plays back the recorded names of the participants on your call

Participant count: Counts the number of participants on your call

Stop message: Interrupts any audio prompt or recorded announcement

Initiate dial-out facility: Allows the chairperson to dial out to a new participant

Volume equaliser: Adjusts the volume on your audio call

Mute/unmute all: Allows you to mute the lines of all participants. Use when making a presentation; to unmute all lines, press * 5 again

Mute your line: Reduce background noise on the call if you are in a noisy environment; to unmute your line, press * 6 again

Lock/unlock your conference: To control your meeting and ensure no one else can enter you can lock your conference call; to unlock your line, press * 7 again

Record start/stop: Instantly record your Local Authorities MeetMe call and download the recording after your call to archive or save the recording for future use *

Conference continuation: Allows participants to remain in a conference once the chairperson hangs up

End conference: At the end of your conference press ## and then hang up. This ensures that all participant lines are disconnected, preventing unexpected charges and enhancing the security of your account.

30

Appendix 4-ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 DfI RIVERS AGENCY

Rivers Agency will fulfil the following duties:-

Assess risk from flooding following weather warnings Participate in conference calling and coordinate with other responders Strategic co-ordination response to Level 1 emergencies Attend Strategic and Tactical Co-ordinating Group meetings if required Carry out pre-emptive measures where practical Place staff on call if necessary Respond to flooding where there is a risk to life and property Recover sand bags on request Carry out debriefing exercises where required Share information on resources and share resources with other responders where possible Inform and co-operate with local Council(s) Agree press releases and provide spokesperson if required.

4.2 NI WATER

The priorities of a water company in a flood situation are to ensure that customers have access to clean, safe drinking water supplies, that sewers continue to operate at optimal capacity, even if swamped by flood waters, and to protect the company’s assets. Preventing key pumping stations from becoming engulfed with flood water and keeping them in operation means that flood water is kept off the streets as much as possible.

The Water Company’s role in response to flooding includes the following: Respond to a severe weather warning from the Met Office by putting critical staff and contractors on high

alert Monitor storm water level-alarms in critical sewage pumping stations 24 hours a day from telemetry centres in

Belfast and Altnagelvin Nominated staff shall be available to implement the drainage agencies Flood Protocol (Best Practice

Guidelines – applicable to small/medium flooding events) Provide a 24/7 point of contact for partner organisation Alert, or inform other organisations as agreed locally Manage the technical fix of the water infrastructure Provide advice on water and wastewater issues to other agencies Provide alternative drinking water supplies Alert Regulators, Local Emergency Preparedeness Group, Health Sector and partners Use appropriate mechanisms and local media to warn and inform public Carry out local dissemination of prohibition notices in affected areas Provide a Liaison Officer at the relevant Tactical and Strategic Coordinating Groups Provide local responders with all relevant information; scale of problem, timescales and water quality

information Liaise with Health Sector on appropriate measures to mitigate health risks Provide analytical and scientific services Liaise with other water companies Ensure prioritisation of vulnerable customers and maintain customer support. Strategic co-ordination response to Level 1 emergencies (through DfI)

31

4.3 DfI TRANSPORT NI

The priorities of DfI Transport NI are to deal with the impact of roads related flooding as far as practicable.

Transport NI’s role in response to flooding includes the following:

Maintain a safe road network Erect flood warning signs on the highway Organise roads closures and traffic diversions Clear blockages in highway drainage systems Take action to protect property from flooding by water from the highway where there is a failure of the

highway drainage system Support the joint response Removal of debris / detritus from the highway once the flood has subsided. Strategic co-ordination response to Level 1 emergencies

4.4 DISTRICT COUNCIL

The principal roles & responsibilities of the local Council(s) are:-

Communication with other responders and the public Facilitation of pre-flood conference calls and conference calls if required during the flooding response in the

event of non risk to life situations Facilitate the co-ordination of the Recovery phase Activation of the Councils’ Emergency Plan if necessary Advise on environmental issues such as public health matters Street cleansing and bulky waste collection Emergency Support Centre provision Community assistance centre organisation & facilitation (One Stop Shop/Advice Centre) Administration of DfC Severe Inconvenience Payment if the Scheme of Emergency Financial Assistance

(SEFA) is activated by the Department Provision of resources if available and requested by other agencies, as per Article 29 of the Local Government

(NI) Order 2005 Part 3 (Miscellaneous – Powers of District Councils in Relation to Emergencies) SITREPS during response to DfC Local Government Department Co-ordination of Risk Assessment activities (for inclusion in Appendix 8 of this plan) Provide a liason officer to the Tactical Co-Ordinating Group and Strategic Co-ordinating Group as required. Provide debrief reports & attend debriefs Organise multi-agency debrief.

4.5 POLICE SERVICE OF NORTHERN IRELAND

The core responsibilities of the PSNI under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000 are to:-

Protect life and property Preserve order Prevent the commission of offences Where an offence has been committed to take measures to bring the offender to justice.

Where police co-ordinate the response they will, where appropriate, request the activation of Emergency Support Centres through the Western EPG Emergency Support Centre Protocols.

Where a flooding incident results in fatalities the PSNI, as agents of HM Coroner, will carry out any subsequent investigation into the death(s).

32

PSNI have limited resources to respond to flooding incidents. Local commanders will deploy police resources in an appropriate manner in the prevailing circumstances.

4.6 MARITIME COASTGUARD AGENCY (MCA)

MCA primary responsibilities as regards emergency response are:

To coordinate civil maritime SAR within the UK SAR Region (including on the coast and on certain inland waters)

To provide some of the response assets, including the Coastguard Rescue Service To assist MCA colleagues in maritime counter-pollution work.

Flood response

MCA will also assist other emergency responders inland where possible, in keeping with the ethos of UKSAR and of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. However, this assistance is secondary to their primary tasks. If there is a clash of resource requirements for example, the primary responsibilities will take precedence, both in terms of planning and of response.

Work in flood waters of any type carries specific and sometimes severe risks. Flood waters can be heavily contaminated with chemicals, sewage, debris etc: unprotected rescuers are at high risk of injury or illness. Flood hydrology and hazards need to be fully understood by those working in flood waters or they run a high risk of becoming casualties themselves. In general, MCA personnel are not trained in this specialist area of emergency response work, and Coastguard Rescue Teams (CRT) are usually not equipped to respond to such incidents.

There are specific exceptions to this general position. Some Coastguard personnel have been trained and equipped to operate in defined areas of high flood risk. These officers may operate up to, but not beyond, the level to which they have been trained, equipped and formally accredited. Officers may operate only within defined geographical areas. Other Coastguard personnel, who have not been trained and equipped to enter flood water, ‘swift’ water, etc, must not do so.

On the other hand, MCA has a great deal to offer to an integrated emergency response in such incidents, always provided that their ability to fulfill their primary responsibilities is not impaired. Examples of this include:

Communications – have a reliable and robust communications network which can be used to assist other services, especially as regards coordinating maritime rescue assets being used inland;

Helicopter landing sites – CRTs are equipped and trained to set up and staff landing sites in support of helicopter operations;

Search – CRTs are well equipped for, and trained in, land search operations; Basic first aid / evacuation – CRTs are trained in basic first aid, casualty care, stretcher evacuation and

staffing casualty landing sites. Teams can be used to treat and evacuate those being brought out of areas of flooding or to evacuate the vulnerable from the threat of flooding. This is an important support role which frees up dedicated flood teams to remain in the flood area;

Rope rescue – CRTs can provide rope rescue within the protocols; Water rescue – CRTs can provide water rescue within protocols; Logistics -manpower, 4x4 transport, lighting, communications (radio and public address systems) and

generators.

33

4.7 NORTHERN IRELAND FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE

NIFRS has a statutory duty to respond to flooding incidents . Article 5 of The Fire and Rescue Services (Emergencies) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 states that for:

SERIOUS FLOODING

The Board shall make provision for the purpose of —

(a) Rescuing people trapped, or likely to become trapped, by water, and

(b) Protecting them from serious harm, in the event of serious flooding.

In addition to statutory duties, NIFRS may, as part of a multi-agency approach, deploy resources in a risk based manner to;

Mitigate environmental damage Protect critical infrastructure Render humanitarian assistance.

NIFRS Capabilities

In order to fulfil this role NIFRS has disposal range of response options i.e.

1. Specialist Flood Rescue Response TeamsNIFRS has specially trained flood rescue response teams, with varying degrees of capability based on national DEFRA standards, in a number of locations across Northern Ireland. These teams can be deployed in response to flooding incidents or pre-deployed in response to at risk areas based on weather warnings and conditions to any location.

2. PumpsA variety of pumps with varying capacities based across all of its stations.These range from hand-portable electric pumps up to high volume pumps capable of moving significant quantities of water over considerable distnaces.

3. All-Terrain VehiclesA number of all-terrain vehicles with the ability to respond to low level flood areas are also available to support the maintenance of normal service delivery.

The NIFRS will respond to any incident where there is a risk to life, or there is likely to be a risk to life.NIFRS will liaise with all responding agencies as part of an intergrated emergency response during flooding.

4.8 NORTHERN IRELAND AMBULANCE SERVICE

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, roles and responsibilities are

To save life in conjunction with the other emergency services To react proactively to any flood warnings in respect of NIAS Staff, property and equipment To manage any major incident using MIMMS (Major Incident Medical Management and Support) principles To maintain emergency cover throughout the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service area, and return to a state

of normality at the earliest time To attend multi-agency meetings at all levels when appropriate To cooperate with other emergency services to provide a coordinated response.

34

4.9 NORTHERN IRELAND HOUSING EXECUTIVE

The Housing Executive role in a major flooding event is to respond and assist in recovery as follows:

Repair and assistance to tenants as a social landlord Emergency holding repairs to private dwellings where requested under the Scheme for Emergency House

Repairs (NI) Order 1991 Homelessness and temporary accommodation as determined by the Housing (NI) Order 1988 (after hours

service provided by the local Health & Social Care Trust) Assisting in Emergency Support Centres or Community Assistance Centres where housing advice is required Provide advice to the Public To assist in any multi-agency response to a major flooding incident Attend Community Assistance Centres where required.

4.10 PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY

The PHA is a multi-disciplinary, multi-professional body with a strong regional and local presence.

Regarding flood incidents, the PHA will:- Attend relevant multi-agency command, control and coordination meetings; Offer specific public health expertise to other responders and the general public regarding the public health

risks of flooding and subsequent clean up and recovery; Where required set up and initially chair a scientific and technical advice cell that coordinates advice to the

strategic coordinating group.

4.11 LOCAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE TRUST(S)

The principal actions of the local Health & Social Care Trust(s) are:-

Provide for the general welfare of attendees at the Emergency Support Centre or other location where evacuees are sheltering

Maintain a register of people attending an ESC so they can, provide support and services to individuals/families whilst at the centre

Gather information in relation to the people who attend to assist in identifying, notifying and reuniting attendees with their next of kin

Provide, where appropriate on-going support/advice after the incident/event Support for vulnerable individuals and providing details. Assist police with the documentation process.

4.12 THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE

The Executive Office (TEO) would be involved in a flooding response only where the impacts of the flooding are serious and are such as to require NI Central Crisis Management Arrangements (NICCMA) to be activated.

The NICCMA are activated as required to co-ordinate the strategic response across the NI departments and other responders to provide an interface with other emergency co-ordination bodies in Northern Ireland and at the United Kingdom level.

When requested, Situation Reports from the local multi-agency response group should be passed to the NICCMA Central Operations Room. The Local Council can also forward this to the DfC Local Government Division.

35

4.13 NORTHERN IRELAND ELECTRICITY NETWORKS

The principal actions of NIE Networks are to:-

Attend to emergencies relating to their service at properties where life could be put at risk as a result of flooding

Attend to flooding emergencies at its own service installations Provide an emergency response during flooding Support joint response

Advise on reconnection.

4.14 BRITISH TELECOM

The principal actions of BT are:-

Attend to emergencies relating to their service at properties where life could be put at risk as a result of flooding

Attend to flooding emergencies at its own service installations Provide an emergency response during flooding Support joint response Advise on the state of the telecoms network.

4.15 MEDIA AND PUBLIC INFORMATION

The Western EPG Public Information & Media Plan provides summary of the co-ordination arrangements for warning and informing the public and working with the media.

4.16 VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS

If required a range of voluntary organisations can be contacted for support. These organisations include:

British Red Cross Salvation Army St John Ambulance Radio Amateurs Emergency Network (Raynet) USPCA RNLI (via Coastguard). 4x4 Club Operators Search & Rescue Teams

Search & Rescue Voluntary organisations will be activated and co-ordinated by the relevant emergency service. A number of voluntary organisations have direct agreements to support a statutory or utility organisation and will be tasked by them as necessary. They can also be activated by the local HSCT, council or the Emergency Services if required.

4.17 PROPERTY OWNERS

In the event of flooding or the risk of flooding the public will be advised that they should take the following actions.

Take flood protection measures Move to a safe area if life is at risk Prevent water from entering the property if possible Switch off electricity at mains Move valuable possessions upstairs away from areas liable to be flooded Keep important contact numbers and important documents in a safe place.

36

4.18 LOUGH NEAGH RESCUE

The principal actions of Lough Neagh Rescue are:

Support the MCA where required Provide boats and manpower where possible Assist in rescue and evacuation

4.19 BRITISH RED CROSS

Red Cross direct assistance to communities at risk of flooding. Red Cross can deploy, in partnership with Emergency Planning multi-agency partners:

4x 4 Capability – to transport people, equipment, essential supplies e.g. food, water, medication. FESS Capability - rapid response, self-contained vehicles

o supporting people’s welfare and responding to on-going needs e.g. food, clothing/shelter/psycho - social support/transport/signposting

o Community hub and information point

Psychosocial Support - general welfare and psycho-social to people before and after a flooding event First Aid Teams - support at scene, patient transfer & triage, emergency support centres.

37

Appendix 5-ORGANISATIONAL ROLES RELEVANT TO FLOOD WARNING IMPACT

The following pages are intended to be used as a quick checklist of the roles of each organisation at different warning stages. The checklists are to be used as guidance by organisations as a basis for the response to flooding. It may be necessary to invoke the Emergency Plan for each organisation at different stages than is detailed here. In addition the unpredictability of the weather and flooding situation may mean that organisations may have to respond differently than is outlined in the guidance.

All agencies are required to monitor the weather at all times.

Checklist Be Aware (Low Impact)Responders Responsibilities

Met Office Monitor the weatherAll other agencies Monitor weather reports from PWSA

Monitor the situation and respond as required if deemed necessary

Notify and key appropriate personal up-to-date

Checklist Be Prepared (Medium Impact)Responders Responsibilities

Met Office Monitor the weather Communicate where appropriate with all relevant agencies Where considered necessary instigate a multi-agency

conference callPSNI Monitor calls to control rooms for reports of flooding

Monitor the weather reports from PWSA Participate in multi-agency conference calls if required

NIFRS Participate in multi-agency conference calls / liaison meetings if required

Assess the impact of relevant flooding information and take action where necessary in accordance with statutory responsibility.

NIAS Provide assistance as needed following liaison Attend multi-agency control room if established Monitor the weather situation

MCA Monitor the weather Situation Any request for assistance referred through Duty Area

OfficerDfI Rivers Agency Inform operational staff of potential for flooding

Carry out pre-emptive measures to clear grills in vulnerable locations

Participate in multi-agency conference calls if required Monitor River levels and alert other responders if levels

are rising Check stocks of resources Monitor the weather situation Default Lead co-ordination of communication (to be

transferred to Transport NI as appropriate)DfI TransportNI Participate in conference call where required

Alert staff on the potential for flooding and put on stand-by if applicable

Carry out pre-emptive measures and gulley cleaning Liaise with police on possible road closures

38

Monitor the weather situation Ensure stocks of sand bags / signs are available Possible lead co-ordination of communication (When

transferred from Rivers Agency as appropriate)NI Water Participate in conference call where required

Check all relevant pumping stations are operational Inform all front-line response staff and contractors of

possible need to respond out-of-hours Alert NIW Customer Relations Centre Alert NIW Information Office Alert NIW Work Control Centre Monitor the weather situation Ensure stocks of sandbags are available to protect NIW

assetsLocal Council(s) Facilitate multi-agency conference call at sub-regional

level for non-threat to life emergencies (CEO/EPCO) Attend SCG/TCG if established Set up a multi-agency control room if required Arrange for delivery of sandbags to mitigate flooding of

council properties Ensure all staff are aware of the potential for flooding Monitor the weather situation

NIE Networks Participate in conference call where required Monitor the weather situation Place key personnel on alert

BT Participate in conference call where required Monitor the weather situation Alert BT teams Provide assessment on state of telecoms network

NIHE Participate in conference call where required Consider putting contractors on stand-by Monitor the weather situation Alert staff on the potential for flooding

PHA Participate in multi-agency conference calls if required Alert relevant staff on the potential for flooding and put on

stand-by if applicable Monitor the weather situation

Local Health & Social Services Care Trust(s)

Participate in conference call where required Alert relevant staff on the potential for flooding and put on

stand-by if applicableTEO Participate in conference call where required

Monitor the situation Keep appropriate personnel advised

39

Checklist Take Action (High Impact) Responders Responsibilities

Met Office Monitor the weather Communicate where appropriate with all relevant

agencies Where considered necessary instigate an appropriate

multi-agency conference call PSNI Co-ordination of multi-agency tactical response where

there is a threat to life Participate in multi-agency conference calls if required Consider activation of appropriate command structures Monitor calls to control rooms for reports of flooding Send liaison officer to multi-agency control room if

established (if possible) Monitor the weather reports from PWSA

NIFRS Participate in multi-agency conference call / liaison meetings if required

Assess the impact of relevant flooding information and take action where necessary in accordance with statutory responsibility.

Liaise with other responders to ensure a coordinated multi-agency response.

NIAS Arrange the most appropriate means of transport of those injured

The treatment of persons injured Participate in multi-agency conference calls if required Send liaison officer to multi-agency control room if

established (if possible) Monitor the weather situation

MCA Participate in multi-agency conference calls if required Monitor the weather situation Any request for assistance referred through Duty Area

OfficerDfI Rivers Agency Default lead for Strategic co-ordination of response

phase for Level 1 Significant Events (to be transferred to Transport NI as appropriate)

Participate in multi-agency conference calls if required Place staff on-call for out-of-hours response Increase number of call handlers in regional offices Carry out further checks at vulnerable locations Activate emergency plan following calls from the

public Respond as necessary Liaise with other responders to provide co-ordinated

response Participate in multi-agency conference calls if required Monitor River levels and alert other responders if

levels are rising Monitor the weather situation Facilitate strategic De-brief of Level 1 emergencies

where appropriate.DfI TransportNI Possible lead for Strategic co-ordination of response

phase for Level 1 Significant Events (when transferred

40

from Rivers Agency as appropriate) Participate in conference call where required Activate emergency plan following calls from the

public Liaise with other responders to provide co-ordinated

response Liaise with police on possible road closures Monitor the weather situation Facilitate strategic De-brief of Level 1 emergencies

where appropriate.NI Water Activate emergency plan if applicable

Increase number of call handlers in Customer Relations Centre

Monitor telemetry alarms at NIW assets Carry out further checks at vulnerable locations Alert all front-line response staff and contractors to

need to respond Liaise with other responders to provide co-ordinated

response Participate in multi-agency conference calls if required Monitor the weather situation Deploy sand-bags to protect NIW assets as required

Local Council(s) Initiate and facilitate multi-agency conference call at sub-regional level for non-threat to life emergencies

Activate emergency plan (in part or full) when contacted by external agencies

Provide Emergency Support Centre(s) if required Attend SCG/TCG if established Set up a multi-agency control room if required Arrange for delivery of sandbags to mitigate flooding

of council properties Contact key staff to alert them of the situation Provide assistance to other flood responders if

requested Monitor the weather situation

NIE Networks Participate in conference call where required Monitor the weather situation Place key personnel on alert Mobilise duty incident team Open incident centres as required

BT Participate in conference call where required Monitor the weather situation Provide assessment on state of telecoms network Provide assistance via National Emergency Linkline

(non-public emergency contact – see EPG contacts directory for details)

PHA Participate in multi-agency conference calls if required Monitor the weather situation

NIHE Participate in conference call where required Activate emergency plan Monitor the weather situation Alert staff on flooding situation

Local Health & Social Care Trust(s) Participate in conference call where required Provide staff at Emergency Support Centre if opened

41

TEO Lead for Strategic co-ordination of response phase for Level 2 Serious and Level 3 Catastrophic events

Consider need to establish the NI Central Crisis Management Arrangements

Monitor the emergency and consequences as appropriate

Participate in conference call where required

Checklist Flood Water Receeding (Recovery) Responders Responsibilities

Met Office Provide reports on significant eventsPSNI Attend debriefs

Attend Community Assistance Centre if appropriateNIFRS Participate in the multi-agency recovery plan in

accordance with statutory duty. May deploy, as part of a multi-agency approach,

resources in a risk based manner to; Mitigate environmental damage Re-instate critical infrastructure Render humanitarian assistance. Participate in multi-agency debrief proces

NIAS Attend debriefsMCA Attend debriefs following involvementDfI Rivers Agency Facilitate debrief of Level 1 Significant Events

Attend debriefs Monitor River levels Provide a report on River Flood levels at peak Collect sandbags on request

DfI TransportNI Facilitate debrief of Level 1 Significant Events Assess damage to infrastructure and carry out repairs/

clean up Assist council with clean-up Provide reports Attend Community Assistance Centre if appropriate Collect sandbags on request

NI Water Attend debriefs Assess damage to infrastructure and carry out

technical repairs Provide reports Collect sandbags deployed by, or on behalf of, NIW

Local Council(s) Provide Community Assistance Centre for public to get advice and information from key agencies

Continue clean-up and co-ordination of recovery Administration of Inconvenience/hardship payment if

applicable Facilitate multi-agency debrief for local level events

NIE Networks Continue recovery operations Re-instatement of infrastructure Attend debriefs Provide reports Attend CAC if applicable

BT Continue recovery operations Re-instatement of infrastructure

42

Attend debriefs Provide reports

PHA Attend debriefs if requiredNIHE Attend Community Assistance Centre

Organise the re-housing of homeless Maintenance and repair of damaged homes

Local Health & Social Services Care Trust(s)

Attend Community Assistance Centres Attend debriefs

TEO Co-ordinate/monitor recovery process as appropriate Facilitate strategic debrief of Level 2 Serious and

Level 3 Catastrophic events

43

Appendix 6-VULNERABLE SITES WITHIN WEPG AREA IDENTIFIED BY THE RISK ASSESSMENT

(Cross Reference with Agenda Item 5 from Multi Agency Co-ordination Group Meeting: (Section 3.3)

Vulnerable sites

Details Location

Infrastructure

Motorways

A/B Roads

Railways & Stations

Bus Stations

Utilities

Gas lines

Water Supply Infrastructure

Waste Water Treatment Works

Electricity Cables/Substations

Telecommunications infrastructure

Health

Hospitals

Doctors Surgeries

Retirement Homes

Education

Schools

Colleges/Universities

Nurseries

Emergency Services

Fire Stations

Police Stations

Ambulance Stations

Work Places

Shopping Centres

Offices

Factories

Residential Areas

Estates

Farms

44

Appendix 7-MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT BETWEEN RIVERS AGENCY, TRANSPORT NI, NORTHERN IRELAND WATER AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT COVERING ARRANGEMENTS FOR MUTUAL AID IN THE SUPPLY AND DEPLOYMENT OF AGREED RESOURCES IN THE

EVENT OF FLOODING (draft)

1. PURPOSE

1.1. This agreement may be activated in the event of an imminent threat of an emergency situation or following warning of a severe weather event.

2. ROLES OF TRANSPORT NI, DfI RIVERS AGENCY AND NIW

2.1. To undertake prior planning in conjunction with local government:

to determine the most appropriate storage locations for sandbags

to determine the numbers to be stored in those locations

to determine the means of re-supply for each location

to liaise and assist councils with advice and pre-planning to enable councils to meet relevant health and safety obligations.

2.2. To hold, in locations agreed for each organisation, the stocks of sandbags which they deem necessary for the protection of any infrastructure which it may be their statutory responsibility to provide or maintain.

2.3. To hold an additional, agreed, stock of sandbags for civil contingencies that can be made available for distribution to the public where property is in imminent danger.

2.4. To provide, in pre-agreed locations stocks of sand bags, accessible to the public under arrangements developed and agreed with relevant communities and with local government. To replenish these stocks as necessary.

2.5. To alert councils if assistance may be, or is, required.

2.6. To provide/assist briefing of council staff as may be required and to coordinate the activities undertaken by council staff deployed in support of that organisation.

2.7. To allow access for council(s) vehicles and staff to depots/store for the purposes of filling, collection or transport and supply of sandbags or any other duties as may have been agreed.

3. ROLES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT

3.1. Councils may, where resources are available, deploy staff and equipment in support of Rivers Agency, Transport NI and NIW. Functions may include:

Storing a supply of sandbags which can be mobilised.

Provision of staff and equipment to support other organisations.

Support in filling, transport and delivery of sandbags to locations agreed with the requesting organisations.

Provision of assistance in other council areas.

3.2. Councils may assist requesting organisations to support the activities of any community self-help activity.

45

3.3. Councils will make suitable arrangements for the health and safety of staff, ensuring, in conjunction with the relevant agencies, adequate pre-planning risk assessment, appropriate staff selection, training, briefing and equipping for the agreed tasks.

3.4. The planning templates attached as Appendices will be completed sub-regionally in conjunction with relevant organisations, and will detail equipment, resources and relevant locations within each council area.

4. ACTIVATION / ALERT ARRANGEMENTS

4.1. If mutual aid assistance is likely to be required, notice should be given by organisations to councils as early as is feasible to enable appropriate planning

4.2. Key contact details for each of the organisations and councils will be contained in the local EPG Emergency Contacts Directory which is updated on a bi-annual basis.

4.3. Detailed activation procedures will be agreed in advance with each organisation.

5. IMPLEMENTATION

5.1. Call Handling. There is insufficient capacity in councils to set up telephone or other response networks and to receive calls directly from the public. Flooding Incident Line will provide a data collection and call-logging service and will pass this information to one of the three flood response agencies under protocols agreed with them.

5.2. Responses. Any of the three flood response agencies/organisations may invoke the mutual aid agreement when deemed necessary, but will retain the communication and data interpretation responsibility, collating calls for assistance from Flooding Incident Line and, as far as possible, under agreed plans, requesting that councils provide personnel and vehicles to move pre-agreed sandbags to pre-agreed flood risk locations from which the public may collect them for laying at their properties. Circumstances may require flexibility in response, but pre-planning of responses should take place wherever possible and be subject of detailed discussion.

5.3. Planning. Sub-regional cross-agency discussions will determine, for each council area, the most probable locations of flooding and allow some estimation of degrees of risk. Sandbag stocks and storage locations will be agreed based on that data. Geographical areas of responsibility of each organisation and of the relevant council may be agreed based upon estimates of resource availability and other relevant factors. Each organisation will then ensure internal preparations and plans are completed including necessary risk assessments.

5.4. Staff selection and training. Each agency will select staff, based upon appropriate criteria, to fill, load and deliver sandbags to required locations. Staff will be trained in manual handling, will be briefed on plans for deployment, on the pre-planned areas of responsibility and on the correct actions to take when handling and delivering sandbags to locations including, where necessary, routes and parking areas. Flood response agencies will assist or adviseas appropriate in this training process and in the identification of equipment needs. Council staff will not be asked to enter flooded areas, nor will they be asked to lay sandbags at individual households.

5.5. Other locations. Where flooding is imminent, or occurs, in areas for which pre-planning has not been undertaken, the general operating principles will remain the same, but staff will be briefed specifically before deployment on the particular circumstances of the incident and may be accompanied by flood response agency staff if the situation so requires.

46

6. LIMITATIONS

6.1. During significant flood events resource pressures may be experienced by flood response organisations and by co-responders including councils. This agreement does not replace, to any extent, the NICCMA escalation protocols that may be utilised to re-assess priorities, controls and assistance.

6.2. For ensure health and safety and to make sure that priorities for the distribution of sandbags are maintained, members of the public are not to be permitted to collect sandbags from within any of organisations’ depots unless specific arrangements are made for this purpose.

7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

7.1. The Mutual Aid Agreement shall commence on 1 ******** 2014 and shall remain in place for a period of three years unless terminated under term 4 below

7.2. Any of the agencies may seek amendments to the Mutual Aid Agreement at any time.

7.3. Subject to the consent of all parties, the Mutual Aid Agreement may subsequently be extended by further periods of up to 3 years.

7.4. The Mutual Aid Agreement may be terminated by any party by formal written notice.

47

Appendix 8 –FLOOD RISK AREAS IN THE WESTERN EPG AREA

Flooding hotspots in the Western EPG area have been identified in conjuction with an analysis of the Rivers Agency’s Flood Maps and the Flood Risk management plans. The Western EPG Flooding and Severe weather Group have developed a hotspot register which outlines locations where there has been historical flooding and no engineering solution has been developed to prevent future flooding.Action cards have also been developed for 2 locations which are regarded as flood risk areas. These are Whitewalls and an area on the Moyola. Areas within Omagh Town Centre have also been considered as flood risk areas and some work has been progressed to ensure the responders are aware of the population/assets/vunarabilties in these areas. These action cards and the sections for Omagh are attached in Appendix 8.1. Rivers Agency have also identified significant flood risk areas and areas requiring further investigation as part of their Flood Risk Management Plans.These are detailed in Appendix 8.2Alert Stations are located in 7 locations across the Western EPG area. These are detailed in Appendix 8.3

8.1 Action Cards for Flood Risk Areas and Sectors of Omagh Town

Clooney Road Action Card

Whitewalls Action Card

48

Flood Sector Tables For Omagh Town

Sector 1 Crevenagh Rd to Swinging Bars Roundabout

Sector 2 Harold McAuley Nursing Home

49

Sector 3 Campsie

Sector 4 Omagh Town Centre

Sector 5 Derry Road, Gortmore Gardens, Hunter’s Crescent to Poe Bridge ( including Beltany Mews & Mullaghmena Meadows)

50

-

Appendix 8.2-Areas of study in Northern Ireland based on the Flood Risk Management Plans

Areas of Study within the Neagh Bann Flood Risk Management Plan District

Significant Flood Risk Areas: None identified within the Western EPG area

Areas for Further Investigation: Ballygawley,Castledawson,Coalisland, Cookstown, Dungannon, Moneymore, Maghera, Magherafelt, Moneymore.

Areas of Study within the North West Flood Risk Management Plan District

Significant Flood Risk Areas: Londonderry, Omagh, Strabane

Areas for Further Investigation: Ballinamallard, Ballymagorry,Beragh,Castlederg,Coolkeeragh ( power station) Eglinton, Enniskillen,Fintona, Lisbellaw, Maguiresbridge,New Buildings,Newtownstewart, Sion Mills

51

Appendix 8.3 Telemetric Sites within the Western EPG Area

52

53

54

Alert Receivers:Charlotte Daly

55

Alert Receivers:Martin Daly

56

57

58

Appendix 9.0-MULTI-AGENCY SANDBAG LOCATIONS (Please refer to Regional Community Resilience Group’s Resilent Direct Folder)

59

Appendix 10 – TRANSPORT NI GUIDANCE ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF SANDBAGS

To ensure a fair and equitable treatment of requests for sandbags, the following guidance should be adopted for the provision and distribution of sandbags:

60

a. Each Section Office should determine the level of sandbags to be held in Depots for emergency purposes and ensure that this level is maintained throughout the year. Filled sandbags should be stored indoors if possible.

b. When significant roads related flooding is adequately dealt with, sandbags can be deployed to known flooding locations or where there is imminent danger to property, if requested.

c. Requests will generally be dealt with in the order they are received. However, in times of serious widespread flooding events, the distribution of sandbags will need to be prioritised according to severity, risk, location and available resources. Distribution should be assessed with regards to the following priorities:

1. To assist the emergency services as appropriate. 2. To protect property.

Although no guarantee can be given that sandbags can be delivered within a specific timescale, TransportNI will endeavour to respond to most requests on a priority basis within available resources.

d. Delivery of sandbags will normally be to the nearest point of access to a property from the public road. Further

manoeuvring of the sandbags within the boundaries of a property and placement will be the responsibility of the property owner.

e. Members of the public must not be permitted to collect sandbags from within any Depot for health and safety reasons and to ensure that priorities for the distribution of sandbags are dealt with in an appropriate manner.

f. Local Emergency Plans for each Section Office must include details of where additional sand bags can be sourced

to cope with periods of exceptional weather e.g. Rivers Agency, Council Depots etc.

g. Sandbags should not be provided for the future protection of vulnerable properties or to properties whose owner thinks they may flood sometime in the future, except in the cases of known road related flooding locations.

h. TransportNI will aim to advise recipients that they will be responsible for the placing and disposal of sandbags.

However exceptional circumstances may prevail where upon request, TransportNI may consider their removal, particularly in cases where the sand-bags are deemed to be contaminated through no direct cause of the recipient.

i. The primary responsibility to protect property lies with the owner of that property and in flood risk areas owners should be encouraged to make arrangements to protect themselves and their properties.

61

Appendix 11- RIVERS AGENCY GUIDANCE ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF SANDBAGS

TECHNICAL GUIDANCE NOTE

TGN 4

Date: 2 March 2012

Provision and Delivery of Sandbags and other Temporary Flood Protection Measures in Flooding Emergencies

Rivers Agency, subject to availability of resources and competing priorities, will endeavour to provide temporary flood protection, including delivery and placing of sandbags, to locations where there is an imminent risk to life or risk of significant damage to property from flooding.

Similarly, subject to availability of resources and competing priorities, Rivers Agency may retrieve and dispose of used sandbags when the flood risk has subsided and where this is considered to be beyond the reasonable capabilities of the occupiers of property affected or threatened by flooding.

Rivers Agency, by arrangement with local authorities or other competent bodies, will arrange for the provision of sandbag stores at agreed locations considered to be at particular risk of flooding. Access to such stores will be restricted by arrangement between Rivers Agency and the local authority or competent body in question.

For reasons of health & safety and to avoid public liability claims, sandbags or any other material or equipment required for temporary flood protection should not be distributed directly to members of the public from Rivers Agency depots or stores.

62

Appendix 12

The following page contains information which can be displayed in affected areas during flooding or posted on the Council Website. Community Resilence information can be found at https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/what-do-if-flood-happens