VOWCHURCH & DISTRICT
GROUP PARISH COUNCIL
Community Resilience Emergency Plan
If there is an emergency or immediate danger, Call 999
An emergency can be:
An immediate danger of injury or risk to life
The suspicion that a crime is in progress or an offender is in the area
A structure is on fire
Any other incident which needs immediate emergency services attendance
Other (non-emergency) medical help: Call 111
Electricity problems: Call 105 or 0800 6783 105 (Western Power Distribution)
Water problems: Call 0800 052 0130 (Welsh Water)
Introduction to Michaelchurch Escley, Newton, St Margarets, Turnastone and Vowchurch
The group of five rural parishes lie approximately 13 miles to the south west of Hereford and about 10 miles south east of Hay on Wye, are in a region known as The Golden Valley.
Michaelchurch Escley lies close to the border with Wales, which runs along the eastern hilltops of the Black Mountains. The other group parishes lie to the east up to the B4348. The roads in the parishes are mainly narrow unclassified, but do have some C class access. The nearest A class road is the A465 between Hereford and Abergavenny, some 7 miles from Vowchurch.
The combined population of the parishes is around 600, spread out over almost 20 square miles.
All five parishes are wholly rural, with some small clusters of housing, but otherwise widely dispersed individual dwellings with a high degree of physical separation from their nearest neighbours. This reflects the historical arrangements of small family farms which accounted for most of the local occupations. This dispersed nature of settlement has created a complex network of very small, narrow roads with few passing places.
Purpose of this document
To help guide the community and individuals to harness local resources and expertise should they or their neighbours need help during an emergency affecting all or part of the parish area, in a way that complements the response of the emergency services.
By drawing up this Community Resilience Plan, the Parish Council is supporting arrangements to help access resources that already exist in the community during an emergency situation.
In a major emergency it could be some time before the designated responding organisations are able to provide direct assistance. This document is designed to help assist co-ordination of local response activities.
Objectives
To help the community to respond to any emergency that may occur in the local area.
To help identify local resources and key contacts within the community that can assist the emergency services and local authority response teams.
To identify hazards and possible mitigation measures within the community.
To raise awareness of vulnerable and potentially vulnerable people in the community and those that may need help with transport, telecommunications, fuel, water and food supplies.
This document does not publicly identify such vulnerable people, but reference to local Communities Networks, residents and Parish Councillors may help to identify possible candidates soonest.
Local Risk Factors
Social Risks
Vulnerable and potentially vulnerable residents – some residents may need extra support from the community and should be prioritised for help.
Environmental Risks
Prolonged extreme cold, snow, or ice – residents may be unable to obtain supplies or with no suitable transport – recognise that such residents may need support from 4×4 vehicle owners to provide urgent transport, deliver supplies, or support to provide fuel.
Prolonged excessive heat – vulnerable residents such as the very young or old, or those with medical issues whose systems may not be able to cope with extreme heat. Such residents may need support for fuel and equipment to mitigate heat levels and assistance from statutory or voluntary agencies.
High winds – possibility of disruption to electrical and telecommunications supplies; likelihood of structural damage to buildings; and likelihood of blocked roads from fallen trees and debris.
Infrastructure Risks
Road traffic incidents – possibility of loss of general access. Provision of warning signs and alternative routes may be needed.
Loss of major public utilities – possibility loss of utilities such as electricity, water and telecommunications (no gas grid in the area). There may be a need to encourage access to community buildings where such services could be made available.
Local Skills and Resources Assessment
For immediate critical issues, local residents are known to have expertise and equipment resources such as:
Trained first aiders or medical professionals
Trained first responders
4 x 4 owner drivers for transport
Tractor owner drivers for towage, lifting and slinging
Tree surgeons and qualified chainsaw operators
Qualified Electricians, and those certified for High Voltage works
Builders and roofers plus support services such as carpenters, mechanics, plumbers, stonemasons
This document does not publicly identify such residents, but internet searches and reference to local Communities Networks, residents and Parish Councillors may help to provide contact details soonest.
Key locations for use as Places of Refuge and/or Safety
Vowchurch and Turnastone Memorial Hall
Keyholder contact: Jane Wheatley 01981 550791 / 07880 505761
Luke Craddock Bennett 01981 550828 / 08971 554418
Michaelchurch Sports Pavilion
Keyholder contact: Ian Williams 01873 860277
Escleyside Hall
Keyholder contact: Jerry Davis 01981 510463
The Bridge Inn
Keyholder contact: Louise Smith 01981 510646
Local Churches:
St Michaels Church, Michaelchurch Escley
St Mary’s Church, Turnastone
St Bartholomew’s Church, Vowchurch
St John’s Church, Newton
St Margarets Church, St Margarets
Keyholder contact: Anne Lloyd, Abbeydore Deanery 01981 620145
Defibrillator Locations
Vowchurch and Turnastone Memorial Hall
Michaelchurch Sports Pavilion
Locations of potentially vulnerable residents
Local Communities Networks, residents and Parish Councillors may be able to highlight potentially vulnerable residents to the appropriate Category 1 and Category 2 Responders for priority checks during an emergency.
Potentially vulnerable includes residents who have medical or mobility issues; the elderly and those families with very young children; single parents; residents who live on their own; and those who may be on their own periodically due to family work arrangements.
Useful contacts and potential facilities nearby
Parish Council – see website for details (vowchurchgpc.org.uk) or in emergencies, if no internet, call the Parish Clerk (Linda Cowles) on 01544 321906.
The Hub at St Peters, Peterchurch – see website (www.hubcommunity.org) or call 01981 551143
Black Hill Communities Network – see website (blackhillcommunities.net) or call 01873 280028