Emergency Planning Unit

North Yorkshire Police has a dedicated Emergency Planning Unit, responsible for major incident response planning and training.

Following a major incident it is a police responsibility to co-ordinate the complex multi-agency response. A key role for the unit is to provide a link with other partners such as the Fire and Rescue Service, Ambulance Service, HM Coastguard, local authorities, public utilities, the military, Government departments and others.

The unit deals with strategic issues and provides advice and guidance as required. In recent times this role has been exercised following the 2000 floods, the Great Heck rail crash in February 2001 as well as during the fuel crisis. In addition the unit organised the Force policing response to the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in 2001 and the Fire Brigades Union strike in 2002.

The unit is based at Newby Wiske and comprises three full-time members of staff.

How to prepare for an emergency

The Preparing for Emergencies website includes the common-sense advice found in the Preparing for Emergencies booklet, and further information on what the government is doing to protect the country as a whole, plus links to other sources of information and phone numbers for assistance.

NYLRF The North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum (NYLRF) co-ordinates planning for the County's response to major incidents. The group consists of representatives from the emergency services, local authorities and other professional and voluntary agencies.

North Yorkshire Police Casualty Bureau

When an incident occurs which involves a large number of casualties, or is likely to result in a large number of telephone calls from concerned friends and relatives, the police in the UK normally open a Casualty Bureau. When this happens we ask the media to publish the phone number. Hopefully you will never need to call, but if you do, we would like you to think about the following before you phone us.

Casualty Bureau is not intended as a general information bureau, but is set up specifically to deal with missing persons, survivors, evacuees and witnesses involved in the incident. The Casualty Bureau is designed to receive and collate information not give it out. However, when casualties or survivors are identified, the enquirer is told as soon as possible following their call.

It will help police if you:

  • Do not ring the published number unnecessarily,
  • Do ring if you have reason to believe that a relative, or close friend has been involved and you need to report them missing, or you have information to give which may help the police in this enquiry,
  • Do let other friends and relatives know that you are ringing, or have rung, so that they do not waste their time, or that of the police, in duplicating the call.
  • Do ring back and let the police know if your relative or friend turns up after you have reported them missing,
  • If you call to report a missing person, do have as many details about them to hand as possible. You will be asked questions such as, "Why do you think they may be involved?", "What is their name and address?", "How old are they?", "Do you know their date of birth?", "What were they wearing?", "Who were they with?" etc. If appropriate you will be asked for their vehicle details. You will certainly be asked for your details and those of the next of kin, if that is not you.

If you are a survivor or evacuee, please tell the police where you were, where you are, how you are and who your next of kin is.

Incidents causing the Casualty Bureau to open generate many thousands of calls to the police, who will deal with each one as quickly as possible. You may have to queue for some considerable time to be answered, but please remember that all callers will be concerned, if not distressed, and that all are equally important. Please be patient.

The Casualty Bureau telephone number is published and broadcast when necessary.