Shotteswell Parish Council Emergency Plan

👋 Introduction

In extreme conditions such as heavy snow and flooding, there is a possibility that the emergency services may not be able to reach the scene immediately. In such circumstances, the initial response may rely entirely on local people. To co-ordinate such activity, some councils have formulated a Community Emergency Plan to help their community to prepare for an emergency and reduce its impact.

There is no statutory requirement for such a plan; however it is good practice and so we have created the Shotteswell Parish Council Emergency Plan. As a small village, our Emergency Plan is a simple document: we are not aware of any particular hazards in the area and our location means that we are safe from flooding. However, in the event of extreme snow, a prolonged loss of power, a serious traffic incident or other emergency local people may be required to provide an initial level of support.

❄️ Snow Plan

Government Guidance: Clearing Snow and Ice

There is no law preventing individuals from clearing snow and ice from public pavements, pathways adjacent to their property, or access routes. In fact, responsible action is encouraged to help ensure public safety.

Liability and Responsibility

If an accident were to occur after snow or ice has been cleared, it is highly unlikely that you would be held legally liable, provided that:

• You have taken reasonable care
• Your actions have not made the pathway clearly more hazardous than it was before

Best Practices for Snow and Ice Removal

To clear snow and ice safely and effectively, consider the following guidance:

• Act early: Clearing fresh, loose snow is significantly easier than removing compacted ice that has been walked on and compressed.
• Avoid hot water: Using hot water to melt snow may cause it to refreeze into dangerous black ice.
• Be a good neighbour: Offer assistance to those who may be unable to clear paths themselves, such as the elderly or disabled.
• Plan where to place snow: When shovelling, ensure snow is not placed where it could obstruct paths, roads, or drainage systems.
• Create a central pathway: Begin by clearing a path down the middle of the area to establish a safe route and make further clearing easier.
• Apply salt: Spreading salt on cleared areas helps prevent ice from forming. Ordinary table salt or dishwasher salt is effective, but avoid spreading it on plants or grass, as it may cause damage.
• Pay extra attention to slopes and steps: These areas are particularly prone to becoming slippery and should be cleared and treated with care.
• Use natural sunlight: Removing the top layer of snow allows sunlight to assist in melting any underlying ice. To prevent refreezing overnight, cover exposed areas with salt.
• Use materials sparingly and responsibly: A small amount of salt is usually sufficient. If salt is unavailable, sand or ash can be used as alternative grit to improve traction.

By following this guidance, you can help keep your community safer during winter conditions while protecting yourself and others from avoidable accidents.

🎯 Purpose

The purpose of the plan is to cater for extreme circumstances (for example heavy snowfall) that might prevent the emergency services from reaching the scene immediately. In such cases the initial response may rely entirely on Shotteswell residents; this plan describes how such an initial response will be coordinated.

🎬 Initial Actions

If an emergency arises and it is not possible to contact the emergency services straight away (or if their response may be delayed), the Shotteswell Emergency Plan should be initiated as follows:

⏭️ Follow-up Actions

Primary Assembly Point

Emergency Contact Numbers

Local Supplies

Insurance and Liability

Use of Personal Vehicles

The question of volunteers using their own vehicles is trickier. Generally we would advise that people doing so should ensure that their own vehicle policy would cover them in such circumstances. In a local emergency, it is unlikely that a situation would arise where we were asking the Parish Council to send people off in their own vehicle to undertake tasks. Such activities would be undertaken by other agencies.

Incident Log Template