Chair Peter Joyce

Company Secretary David Kerry

Communications Keith Donnelly

Education Stephen MacKenzie

Executive Committee Members

Jo Couzens

Nestor Alfonzo – Santamaria

Scott Wilson

Kevin Wheal

Mike Price

Liam Lehane

Robert MacFarlane

Matthew Hogan

COUNTER TERRORISM BRIEFING & PROJECT GRIFFIN UPDATE

Thursday 14th January 2016 at New Scotland Yard 

AN EVENTBRITE INVITATION WILL BE SENT OUT SOON TO ALL MEMBERS

THIS IS A BY INVITATION ONLY FREE EVENT

We no longer live in a world where the fight against terrorism can be the sole responsibility of law enforcement and government.

The increase in the threat level to SEVERE clearly demonstrates the need for everybody; from law enforcement, to businesses, to the general public, to work together to ensure that the UK is in the best possible position to keep our communities safe from extremists.

Counter Terrorism Awareness and Operation Griffin aims to encourage people to stand up in the fight against terrorism, to be more aware, more responsive and more resilient to what is a very real threat to our communities.

This awareness training is not driven by specific intelligence of an attack but instead focuses on areas that are intrinsically linked with terrorist activity including crowded places and transport hubs as densely populated targets for an attack, preventing violent extremism, terrorist fundraising, and the tools that terrorists need to function. 

We want people to be vigilant in their places of work and for communities to feel confident to report any concerns to the police. Nobody is better placed to detect something out of place in their communities than the very people living in them.

Quite simply, if you suspect it, report it. The Anti-Terrorism Hotline exists for exactly this reason.

Remember that any information, however small and insignificant it may appear, could be the missing piece of the puzzle that allows us to detect and stop a terrorist plot in its tracks.

Businesses, particularly those in crowded places and at transport hubs, have an invaluable role to play in our fight against violent extremists. We can increase vigilance by ensuring that staff have the correct training and know what to look out for.

We must also work effectively with partners to take other protective measures such as ensuring buildings are built to high safety standards and have optimum security in place to deter and detect potential threats.

If we all do our part, and we all work together, we give ourselves the best chance of keeping the UK safe. I would encourage people to speak to their local police to find out more about counter terrorism awareness, what activities are taking place in their area and how they can get involved.

CT Awareness Evening 2016 Key strategic messages to be aware of ahead of this event. 

• We’re launching a national counter terrorism awareness evening to encourage people to be vigilant and tell them about simple measures they can take to make it harder for terrorists to attack the UK.
• Following the increase of the international terrorism threat to severe, there is a heightened need to ensure that the UK is in the best position to deter and detect potential terrorist threats.
• While the severe threat level indicates that it is highly likely that a terrorist attack could happen in the UK, there is currently no specific intelligence of a terrorist attack.
• Everybody, from law enforcement, to businesses, to the general public, has a role to play in keeping the UK safe from terrorism.
• Be vigilant. If you suspect it, report it. Nobody is better placed to detect something that is out of place in their communities than the people living in them.
• To effectively combat the terrorism threat, law enforcement, businesses, government and the general public need to work together.
• Terrorists have targeted busy, well-populated places to ensure that attacks have a maximum impact.
• Businesses, particularly those in crowded places, have an invaluable role to play in our fight against terrorists, violent extremists and other criminals. Their staff are often the first people to spot signs that something is wrong.
• Emergency services and the military are prepared for a rapid and effective response to all threats, including terrorism.

We encourage people to report suspicious activity by calling the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321

DO YOUR BIT FOR THE MET

The Metropolitan Police are looking for volunteers to support them in their work to ‘be there for London.’ As well as encouraging engagement between local communities and local police, this is a great way for you to impact the policing service in your area while gaining valuable skills and experience. They will be recruiting from 30th December 2015 until 26th January 2016. To find out more or to apply, click here and do your bit for your Met, yourself, and your community.

UPDATE YOUR DETAILS

Log-in to the EPS website here, click on ‘My Account’ and you will find your details. Please take a moment to check and, if necessary, update your correspondence address and email address. Make sure you have added our email address to your safe list so that we can make sure that you are kept up to date with Society news and events

BRANCH DETAIL

The London Branch has a Gmail account eps.londonbranch@gmail.com should you need to correspond with the Branch Executive Committee. This account is monitored daily, and can be used for corresponding with any member of the Branch Executive Committee.

KEITH DONNELLY - HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS

What was your first job?

I completed three shifts as a floor waiter in a hotel bar during the Christmas party season, more years ago that I care to remember.  After a door closed on a full tray of nice, clean glasses I was carrying, and smashed them all to pieces, they never called me back for another shift…?

What sparked your interest in emergency planning?

It was more of a ‘rising tide’ scenario as my career progressed in the hospitality industry (my skills did improved drastically in the jobs that followed my first hotel experience). As my hospitality career progressed, I was given responsibilities for health and safety which, in hospitality at least, goes hand in hand with the emergency procedures for various situations leading into various aspects of emergency planning, crisis management and disaster recovery.

What has been the highlight of your Emergency Planning experience?

I enjoy the exercising aspect of the industry and I have been fortunate enough to participate in a variety through my studies and career. I couldn’t isolate one in particular as being a highlight, they all have their learning points and can get the creative juices going.

Has there been a ‘lowlight’ of your experience?

Of course not! Every experience has positive points to be sought out.

What do you think the emergency planning sector needs, right now?

Publicity. The right kind. I still believe that there is a general lack of awareness that the industry exists amongst the wider population.

What has been the biggest influence in the growth of emergency planning?

Publicity. The wrong kind. From natural disasters to terrorist attacks, a vast amount of planning, prevention, mitigation and response measures have had to be taken in increasing levels over the past number of years. While many people may not realise that this often comes into the remit of emergency planning, I think it has still encouraged the growth of the industry.

What would you, as a member, like to get from the EPS?

Opportunities to develop. Whether this be in the form of networking and making contacts, or presentations and workshops to develop my personal knowledge, awareness and understanding, being able to take up some opportunities can only help me to develop in this industry.

Favourites

Favourite colour?

Orange

Favourite food?

Pasta

Favourite city?

New York

Favourite book?

The DaVinci Code

Favourite movie?

White House Down

Favourite musician / artist / group?

Avicii

Favourite sport?

Sport?? Not a chance!

Favourite Cat 1 agency?

If I had to choose, Fire Service (but only because some of my best friends work for them and they have arranged some very good training exercises that I’ve attended).

FLOOD ACTION FOR BUSINESSES THIS WINTER

09th Oct 2015 - Mike Still Marsh

Key References 

Water Knowledge Hub - bitc.org.uk/issues/water/knowledge-hub

What Businesses Can Do - bitc.org.uk/issues/marketplace-sustainability/resilience-and-recovery/flood-relief-what-business-can-do

National Flood Forum - nationalfloodforum.org.uk

Take A Resilience Health Check - businessresiliencehealthcheck.co.uk

Are You In A Flood Plane? - maps.environment-agency.gov.uk/wiyby/wiybyController?x=357683.0&y=355134.0&scale=1&layerGroups=default&ep=map&textonly=off&lang=_e&topic=floodmap&utm_source=Poster&utm_medium=FloodRisk&utm_campaign=FloodMonth13

Do You Want Warnings - gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings?utm_source=FloodPartnerPack&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=FloodsDestroy14

Preparing Your Businesses For Flooding - gov.uk/government/publications/preparing-your-business-for-flooding?utm_source=FloodPartnerPack&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=FloodsDestroy14

Mike Still, Managing Director, Client Service at Marsh, Chairman of Business in the Community’s Business Emergency Recovery Group and The Prince’s Business Ambassador to Scotland, writes about a business led-approach that might just help a business swim, not sink, this winter.

October has arrived and the change of season usually signals unsettled weather for the UK.  If we think back to 2013-14 - the wettest winter on record – we saw over 3,000 commercial properties and 7,700 homes flooded with long term impacts to business customers and suppliers, utilities and other infrastructure. Improved coordination, communications and response might just make a difference in helping businesses survive another wet winter.

Business Emergency Recovery Group

HRH The Prince of Wales' Business Emergency Recovery Group recognises that small businesses are the lifeblood of many local communities and that severe disruptions can often lead to long-term and sometimes unrecoverable knock-on effects.  By working collectively to build greater business resilience, we can make a massive difference and help save vast and often unnecessary sums of money.

BERG helps to join up and mobilise businesses and is delivered through the charity Business in the Community, of which HRH is President.

BERG was initiated in response to the severe disruptions to local communities following the 2010 floods in the hope that better links between business might lessen the longer term impacts of flooding and improve the likelihood of successful, affordable and more rapid recovery.

Matching the resources offered by large businesses to the needs of small business owners during a crisis is one of the important functions that an organisation like BERG can offer at local level.

Our unique business-led approach aims to maintain business continuity during major disruptive events complementing services already on offer from Government and other service sectors.

Flood Action

With one in six properties at risk of flooding, BERG believes it is crucial that businesses prepare for such disruptions, identify how best to continue operating and minimise long term financial impacts. 

In addition to helping businesses be better linked to each other and mapping where support exists, BERG is working closely with the Environment Agency and its Climate Ready support service to help businesses be flood aware by suggesting the following:

• Use the Environment Agency’s maps to find out if you are at risk from flooding

• Sign-up for free flood warnings for your area

• Develop a business flood plan

Further information

Take a business resilience health check and get a FREE personalised report about how your business can prepare for flooding and severe weather.

The National Flood Forum website and their guidebook which is aimed at households but many of the key principles apply to businesses BITC guidance Flood Relief – what businesses can do Visit BITC's Water Knowledge Hub for information and resources

                            SANTA'S EMERGENCY RISK ASSESSMENT

We know that branch members have all been good girls and boys this year, so the only reason Santa could have for not visiting you is if there is some kind of emergency and he isn't prepared. Your Branch Exec members put their heads together to come up with a list of possible risks. Which of these do you think is the most significant? What other risks could he face?

Top risks

• Industrial Action by elves
• Reindeer/Sleigh malfunction
• Chimney access restricted (too many mince pies? hipsters lighting actual fires?)
• Wrong kind of snow
• Loss of the naughty/nice list
• Imitation Santa caught in media scandal

Some members have already responded to point out some of the risks that they are considering over this festive period, such as checking Christmas lights and decorations, fire safety, detection and escape plans for the whole family, teaching the kids about making emergency calls, staying safe when they’re out and about if they get lost or approached by a stranger.

As a minimum, make sure you set up ICE contacts on your mobile phone and your kids’ phones, and make sure you check the batteries on the smoke or fire detectors around your home.

Above all stay safe and have a wonderful time.For some more ideas, have a read through our 12 Security Days of Christmas…”

Some Important Security Tips In The Run Up To The Festive Period

• On the 1st day of Christmas:  Check you and your family know what to do in an emergency.
• On the 2nd day of Christmas: Check security of your house, car and possessions – theft is unfortunately at an increase at this time of year.  If you see something suspicious report it to the police.
• On the 3rd day of Christmas: Don’t display you valuables in your home or car – they’d look just as nice under someone else’s xmas tree.
• On the 4th day of Christmas: check your house insurance and car insurance – take photos of valuables, serial numbers and email to yourself – make it easier for the police to recover. Do you have legal protection insurance?
• On the 5th day of Christmas: Do think about little ones who might get separated when out and about. If kids can't remember where they live or phone number write your number on their tummy, teach them to stay put, teach them about "Stranger Danger", and teach them what to do when lost and who’s safe to approach police, security or someone with a uniform to call mommy or daddy.
• On the 6th day of Christmas: if your away think about home security, lights / radio on timers, neighbours to check the house or put out bins when your away, to a monitored fire and security system.
• On the 7th day of Christmas: when in town watch out pick-pockets about.
• On the 8th day of Christmas If you are planning to celebrate and have alcohol – stay safe and don’t leave drinks or possessions unattended, consider having a nominated sober person or driver, try not to drink more than you're used to and never ever use an unlicensed taxi.
• On the 9th day of Christmas: everyone’s focused on having a few days off but do think about backing up your data before the holidays - keep back-ups for home and work in different locations.
• On the 10th day of Christmas: try using card versus lifting or carrying cash – most credit cards have insurance for purchases against theft, loss or accidental damage – check your policy.
• On the 11th day of Christmas: Think about joining your neighborhood watch and check on elderly neighbours – we invite ours around for a nice meal, catch-up and party.
• On the 12th day of Christmas: think about post xmas rubbish disposal – do you really want the whole street to know you have a big screen or xbox or playstation, camera, computer etc for xmas.

Until Next Time… Many thanks for reading, we’re already working away like Christmas Elves on the January issue. We will be reporting back on the Counter Terrorism Awareness and Project Griffin event for those who can’t attend, introduce our next London Branch Member event, be raising some more seasonal awareness as we move into 2016, and much more! If you would like to submit an article or suggest a topic, would like to introduce someone you know in the industry by grilling them with the 60 Seconds interview and Favourites, or if you want to introduce a friend, colleague or organisation to the Society, just drop us a line to eps.londonbranch@gmail.com Until then, have an enjoyable, safe, and well-planned festive season!

Keith Donnelly, Head of Communication

On behalf of Emergency Planning Society, London Branch Executive