AGENDA ITEM 5
BOROUGH OF POOLE
EMERGENCY COMMITTEE
12TH APRIL 2006
NELSON SCRAP YARD POWER OUTAGE 15TH NOVEMBER 2005
PART OF PUBLISHED FORWARD PLAN: No
1.
PURPOSE AND POLICY CONTEXT
1.1
The purpose of this report is to seek members’ consideration of the issues
that were raised by the Nelson Scrap Yard incident..
2.
RECOMMENDATIONS
2.1.
Members are asked to approve the Action Plan at Appendix A.
3.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
3.1.
The multi-agency debrief to review the Nelson Stanley Scrap Yard incident
on the 15th November took place on Friday the 20th January. The following
agencies were involved,
a. Dorset Fire & Rescue Service
b. Bournemouth and Poole Primary Care Trusts
c. Bournemouth Borough Council
d. The Borough of Poole Council
e. Health Protection Agency
f. Scottish Southern Electric
g. Dorset Police
h. Poole Hospital NHS Trust
i. Royal Bournemouth NHS Trust
j. Environment Agency
3.2.
The debrief came to the following primary conclusions,

This was an unusual fire with particularly unusual consequences (cables
falling) that were virtually unknown to the electricity company. Risk
Management at immediate scene was good, issues concerning the wider
area (housing estate) were discussed. Public safety is always number one
priority.

A high-level government enquiry investigated to address the
circumstances of the fire and the resultant power outage.

Communications at all levels caused a lot of debate internally and
externally. Action. Individual organisations need to look at their business
continuity plans in the light of the situation experienced on the day.

Implications of full-scale power/communications systems outages need
discussing with partner organisations. Action. Bournemouth and Poole
Resilience Group to discuss most appropriate way forward on this

There is a need to ensure that command and control can be exerted with
such a breakdown in communications. Action. Bournemouth and Poole
Resilience Group to discuss most appropriate way forward on this.

Could central points of contact/reference be established for the
deployment of operational staff? Action. Bournemouth and Poole
Resilience Group to discuss most appropriate way forward on this

Bronze and Silver Command levels were firmly established. Gold should
have been established at an early level even if not fully utilised. Action
Dorset Police to consider this issue.

When establishing Silver Command, to avoid missing key partners out of
the group, send standard invitations to all partners and leave the
attendance down to their discretion. Action Dorset Police to consider this
issue.

Perhaps use a standard script/proforma at Silver Command for the
purpose, to include information on what is happening and considered
implications. Action Dorset Police to consider this issue.

For contingency planning, rather than organisation sending some staff
home, consider using such staff in overcoming some communications and
tactical issues that may arise. Action All agencies to consider this in their
contingency planning. Bournemouth and Poole Resilience Group to
disseminate this in appropriate manner.
3.3.
The Bournemouth and Poole resilience group is to meet on the 26 th April to
consider the proposals set out above.
3.4.
The following action plan sets out the specific recommendations in relation to
the Council. There is some over lap with the review of the Council’s Civil
Contingency arrangements.
Graham Chaplin
Emergency Planning Officer
12 April 2006
Emergency Committee 12 April 2006
Recommendation
Action
1.Review service unit
business continuity plans
1a, Review provision of power to civic centre
via generator and make recommendations to
Emergency Committee
1b, establish work place recovery centre
1c, Review service unit business continuity
plans and report to Emergency Committee
2a, Review the mobile phone service to ensure
adequate coverage
2. Review
communications
arrangements
2b, Review Borough radio telephone system
3. Review staff
deployment in civic centre
2c, Establish any resource requirements and
report to Emergency Committee
3a, Relocate Emergency Planning Officer to
Civic Centre
3b, Review communication arrangements and
emergency control centre
3c, Review of silver and gold management
arrangements for emergencies
Simon Hendey
Head of Housing and Community Services, 12th April 2006
Item 5, Appendix A
Responsible
officer
Head of Property
Srvices
Target date for
completion
September
2006
Policy Director
Policy Director
July 2006
January 2007
Policy Director
June 2006
Emergency
Planning Officer
Emergency
Planning Officer
Head of HCS
July 2006
Policy Director
September
2006
September
2006
Management
team
September
2006
April 2006