How responder groups work together
The States of Jersey Emergencies Council, the Jersey Resilience Forum, and the Emergency Planning Officer and all responders each play a role in planning for and responding to any major incident or emergency either in, or affecting, Jersey. They may provide:
- specialist knowledge
- equipment, people and resources
- support, care and welfare
Government of Jersey's role
In a major incident, the lead for responding to it will usually fall to the agency who have the main responsibility for its resolution. For example, in cases such as medical emergencies or a significant fire, the lead is likely to fall to Health and Community Services or the Fire and Rescue Service. The States of Jersey Police will usually take the lead role in the initial response for almost all other types of incident, and if this is the case then they will be supported by all the other agencies involved or affected.
Immediately following the declaration of a major incident or emergency, the Emergency Planning Officer will coordinate all resources to provide support to the emergency services and the other responders.
The Government of Jersey will take the lead role in helping Jersey's community, environment and economy to recover after a major incident or emergency.
The Emergencies Council
By law, Jersey must have an Emergencies Council in place. The Council is made up of people from across the States of Jersey, and has the overall responsibility for responding to emergencies. See the Jersey Law website for details of the
Emergency Powers and Planning (Jersey) Law 1990, and for further information relating to the Emergencies Council and how Jersey responds to emergencies.
The Jersey Resilience Forum
The Jersey Resilience Forum (JRF) is the multi-agency organisation responsible for ensuring that we are prepared to respond to emergencies that may impact Jersey, and is chaired by the Chief Executive to the Council of Ministers.
It brings together all responders who have a role to play in any emergency response from both within and outside of the Government of Jersey. This includes members of the
critical national infrastructure (who provide the services on which daily life depends, such as the supply chain and energy providers) and members of the voluntary sector (who provide vital support and assistance in a time of crisis).
This includes:
- States of Jersey Police
- States of Jersey Fire and Rescue Service
- States of Jersey Ambulance Service
- Ports of Jersey
- Office of the Chief Executive (Communications)
- Health and Community Services
- Public Health
- Risk and Audit
- Department for Infrastructure, Housing and Environment
- Financial Services and Digital Economy
- Emergency Planning Officer
- Representative from the Comité des Chefs de Police
- Officer Commanding Jersey Field Squadron or Joint Regional Liaison Officer (JRLO) 1 Artillery Brigade and South West
- Representatives of the energy sector
- Representatives for the voluntary sector
The role of the Emergency Planning Officer
The States of Jersey's Emergency Planning Officer (EPO) works with responding agencies and organisations to review risks, develop emergency plans and test responses in preparation for dealing with a major incident or emergency.
The EPO assists in coordinating the work of the Jersey Resilience Forum and gives advice and guidance to the Emergencies Council. The EPO's main responsibilities are to:
- prepare, coordinate and advise on contingency planning for Island emergencies and major incidents
- coordinate the work of the Jersey Resilience Forum
- work with responders to develop and maintain the
Community Risk Register
- support the development of response and recovery plans
- organise and participate in emergency training and exercises
- identify, organise and support personal / professional development training opportunities for local responders
- develop advice and guidance on contingency planning and increase the community's awareness and understanding of preparing for emergencies and major incidents
- work with national responders to ensure that Jersey has the resilience that it needs for if and when major incidents or emergencies occur
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