Focus
Preparedness and emergency services
August 2007
In recent years there have been many lessons learned about how prepared or ill-prepared countries around the world are when it comes to disasters. Terrorist activity, extreme weather conditions leading to unprecedented floodings, earthquakes, tsunami, famines, train crashes, the ongoing threat of avian flu, terrible road crashes e.g. on the M25 in the UK, fire at Buncefield oil depot in Hertfordshire, UK has again shone the spotlight on how well prepared are countries to deal with major incidents. All of these national and international emergencies have required swift, decisive action from multiple organisations.
This could not be achieved effectively without meticulous co-ordinated planning, and a knowledge and understanding of the personnel, products and services available.
It is essential that emergency planning continues to be refined and staff trained in the latest techniques and equipment being developed. All countries need to develop central (national), regional and local response capabilities. It is essential to ensure the maintenance of essential services (food, water, fuel, transport, health, financial services, etc) to people.
Likewise be able to deal respectively with the assessment of risks and consequences; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) resilience; infectious diseases - human; infectious diseases - animal and plant; mass casualties; mass fatalities; mass evacuation; site clearance; and warning and informing the public.
The OSHWORLD Diary of Events list a range of seminars, workshops, conferences and exhibitions that reflect how emergency services work in response to critical incidents. For example the Emergency Services Show 2007, that is a 2 day exhibition and conference on Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th November 2007, to be held at Stoneleigh Park, B4113 Stoneleigh Road, Coventry, Warwickshire CV8 2LZ, UK. Also the A+A Conference and Exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany, 19 - 21 September 2007 see www.AplusA-online.de.
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