Trainee Team member Steve James attends Multi – Agency Introduction to Civil Contingencies Course today

This morning, Team Call Out list (Trainee) member Steve James attended at the kind invitation of Bolton Council, a day long course regarding Multi Agency Introduction to Civil Contingencies.

This is the ninth time the team has attended this course, the first being 15th June 2010, when our Team Leader Garry Rhodes MBE attended, followed by the 23rd November 2010 course when our Team Training Officer at the time, Elaine Gilliland and Team Vehicles Officer at the time Chris Greenhalgh (now our Deputy Team Leader) attended, Thursday 13th September 2012, when our Catering and Base Officer at the time Chris Tennant attended, Thursday 11th April 2013, when our Team Treasurer Martin Banks attended, Thursday 10th October 2013, when Paul Copley and Nick Berry attended, Thursday 3rd April 2014 when Steve O’Hara attended, Friday 26th September 2014, when Phil Horner attended and Friday 17th April 2015, when our Equipment Officer – Medical Mark Scott and David Crawford attended.

Held at the excellent venue of the Education Centre at Royal Bolton Hospital, Bolton, the course attracted many participants from the statutory and voluntary emergency sector and agencies, including very knowledgeable course facilitators and session presenters.

The course objectives included:

• To understand the context and implications of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and the statutory duties it places on Category 1 and 2 responders.
• To become familiar with the role of all agencies involved in planning, preparing for and responding to emergencies.
• To share knowledge and understanding with other local agencies.
• To learn from previous experiences of responding to emergencies.

The team would like to thank the Civil Contingencies Unit of Bolton Council for yet again very kindly providing us with placements on this valuable and topical course.

The following report on todays course has been made by Steve James:

Today I attended the Multi Agency Introduction to Civil Contingencies for Emergency Responders in Bolton.

The day started with a quick introduction by all attendees, videos and a background to Civil Contingencies.

We were given excellent presentations by Jimmy Tunn (Royal Bolton Hospital), Cath Nally (Bolton Council) Wayne Guffogg (GMFRS), Steve Dewhurst (NWAS), Mick Dewer (GMFRS) and Kitty Kaur (GMP).

The day was very informative and gave a great insight into local and national resilience assets available.

There were great examples of inter agency working and the topics covered in detail the plans and processes in place in the event of major incidents.

It was an opportunity to share the work and capabilities of Mountain Rescue to some new faces and make new contacts.

Please also see website ‘News’ items dated 15th June 2010, 23rd November 2010, 13th September 2012, 11th April 2013, 21st April 2013, 10th October 2013, 3rd April 2014, 26th September 2014 and 17th April 2015.