Redbridge has enviable record planning for emergency situations

3:16pm Wednesday 7th May 2008

I WOULD like to set the record straight about the story in last week's paper Emergency training needs an overhaul.' Although the article quotes quite accurately from a part of the Community Safety Services Scrutiny Committee agenda from the meeting on April 17, the reference to atomic bombs and the cold war refers to the legislation that was in place in 2000 and not to Redbridge's state-of-the-art Emergency Planning system that is in place today.

In fact, Redbridge is considered to be at the forefront of Emergency Planning in the UK and the council was chosen to house the sophisticated alternative venue for the back-up venue to respond to a major pan-London incident.

The council has attracted significant Government investment for its control room and the dedicated team of officers who are on 24 hour call to deal with the threats that the borough is likely to face.

Redbridge has recently been complimented by the Environment Agency for their response to the threat of flooding. Additional funding of £250,000 was recently made available to further improve our response to the risk of flooding. The additional funding will be used to implement a number of measures that are in line with a recent Government report. I can also assure you that council officers receive the fullest support and necessary funding for this vital work from the Council's Cabinet.

Cllr Mark Aaron, Cabinet Member for Community Safety.

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