Monday 29 April 2013
Voluntary organisations will be testing their ability to provide shelter to evacuees as part of the States of Guernsey Emergency Accommodation Plan
Volunteers from the Torteval Douzaine, British Red Cross, RAYNET and Civil Protection Volunteers will be practicing their skills in setting up and preparing the Torteval Douzaine room and church hall as a Rest Centre to receive evacuees this Wednesday 1 May as part of the Islands preparedness for a major incident/emergency. Volunteers from the Douzaine and British Red Cross, along with the support the Civil Protection Volunteers and Raynet will set up the church hall and Douzaine room to receive and accommodate the evacuees on a temporary basis. Actors will play the part of the evacuees to give volunteers an idea of the real pressures that they are likely to be faced with should the Rest Centre ever have to be activated for real. Guernsey Police will also be available during the exercise to provide guidance on their role during a major incident/island emergency.
The exercise, designed and facilitated by the Home Department, provides personnel with an opportunity to re-familiarise themselves with the States of Guernsey Emergency Accommodation Plan as well as prepare them for the likely demands that will be placed on them.
The Home Department's Emergency Planning Officer, Catherine Veron said:
"The emergency rest centre arrangements could be utilised by the emergency services if they needed to evacuate people from an area of danger. The rest centre would offer basic, temporary accommodation until more suitable premises can be utilised or the threat has passed and those originally in danger can return to their homes".
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