What is a risk?
A risk is a hazard (non-malicious, for example, flooding) or
threat (malicious, for example, terrorist attack) that could
adversely affect an organisation and its ability to carry out its
functions. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 defines a major
emergency as:
'Any event (happening with or without warning) causing or
threatening death or injury, damage to property or to the
environment or disruption to the community, which because of the
scale of its effects cannot be dealt with by the emergency services
and local authorities as part of their day-to-day activities.'
Central Government aims to ensure that all
organisations have clear and effective risk assessment processes in
place and has produced documentation to see this aim through. These
include:
- The Civil Contingencies Act 2004
- Local Risk Assessment Guidance 2005/6
Section two of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 provides
category one responders (local government, emergency services etc.)
with statutory duties to prepare for risks and respond to any
incidents resulting from them in the most effective ways possible.
Part of this duty is the completion of regular risk assessments.
These drive a standard approach to emergency planning by informing
emergency plans, Business Continuity plans and the monitoring and
updating mechanisms of these plans.
Risk assessments are completed and maintained within a Community
Risk Register - a list of the risk assessments undertaken by the
category one responders. The category one responders cooperate and
work closely on key aspects of emergency planning, such as risk
assessments, through the Local Resilience Forum. This forum is the
principle mechanism for multi-agency planning at a local level and
it ensures an effective response to emergencies and aids the speedy
return to normal.
The Community Risk Register for Dorset is hosted on the
Bournemouth and Poole Responder
Group website on behalf of the Local Resilience Forum.
View the Bournemouth, Dorset
& Poole Local Resilience Forum Community Risk Register
information sheet (80kb PDF) >