Improving the Resilience of
Critical Infrastructure from
Natural Hazards
David Murphy
Assistant Director – Natural Hazards Team
Civil Contingencies Secretariat
UCL DRR Conference, London, 4-6 November 2009

 Civil Contingencies Secretariat
 Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure
 Improving Resilience from Natural Hazards
UCL DRR Conference, London, 4-6 November 2009

Civil Contingencies Secretariat
Overall Aim:
To improve the UK’s resilience by building the capabilities needed to absorb, respond to and recover from disruptive challenges

Civil Contingencies Secretariat
Civil Contingencies Secretariat
Capabilities
Horizon Scanning
& Response
Local Response
Capability
Emergency
Planning College
Natural Hazards Team
Co-ordinate cross-government work to reduce the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to natural hazards
UCL DRR Conference, London, 4-6 November 2009

Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure f rom natural hazards

Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure
Summer 2007 Floods
Impacts on critical infrastructure :
 350,000 people without clean water for up to 17 days
 42,000 people without power in Gloucester for 24 hours
 10,000 people trapped on M5 Motorway overnight
 Many others stranded on the rail network
 Hospitals, schools and care homes

Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure
The Pitt Review found vulnerability caused by:
 Frequency & severity of natural hazard events
 Society's increasing dependence on services
 Larger populations relying on the same supplies
 Loss of redundancy in networks
 Increased interconnections between networks
 Un-coordinated & reactive response to events
UCL DRR Conference, London, 4-6 November 2009

Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure
Sir Michael Pitt recommended:
“Government should establish a systematic, coordinated cross sector campaign to reduce the disruption caused by natural hazards to critical infrastructure and essential services”
UCL DRR Conference, London, 4-6 November 2009

Improving Resilience from Natural Hazards

Improving Resilience to Natural Hazards
Critical Infrastructure Resilience Programme
 Reduce most substantial risks
 Provide mechanisms to increase resilience
 Enhance capacity of infrastructure to absorb shock
 Ensure an effective emergency response
UCL DRR Conference, London, 4-6 November 2009

Improving Resilience from Natural Hazards
Government’s Commitment to implement recommendations on infrastructure:
50.
Publish National Framework & Policy Statement
51.
Identify the vulnerability & risk of assets to flooding in Sector Resilience Plans
52.
Build a level of resilience into critical infrastructure assets from flooding
53.
Establish role of economic regulators in resilience
54.
Business continuity planning for infrastructure operators

Improving Resilience to Natural Hazards
Natural Hazards Team
By 30 June 2009
 Establish Natural Hazards Team (NHT)
 Publish Strategic Framework and Policy Statement
By 31 December 2009
 Sector Resilience Plans for the most critical sites
Other dates
 Guidance for economic regulators mid-2009
 National Resilience Plan - late 2010
UCL DRR Conference, London, 4-6 November 2009

Improving Resilience from Natural Hazards
Two key work strands:
Short term

Make early assessment of the most critical sites and take action to protect from flooding
Long term

Building resilience into the infrastructure networks and systems on an all hazards basis
UCL DRR Conference, London, 4-6 November 2009

Summary
 2007 floods highlighted our vulnerability
 Natural Hazards Team – working to:
 Understand existing resilience
 Prevent repeat 2007
 Set standards for resilience
 Establish programme to improve resilience
 Consultation: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ukresilience
UCL DRR Conference, London, 4-6 November 2009

Improving the Resilience of
Critical Infrastructure from
Natural Hazards
David Murphy
Assistant Director – Natural Hazards Team
Civil Contingencies Secretariat
UCL DRR Conference, London, 4-6 November 2009