Who are our partner organisations?

The Essex Resilience Forum is formed of all Category One, Category Two and voluntary sector partner agencies who come together collaboratively to plan, prepare and respond to emergencies and incidents.

For full details of all partner agencies and to be dirested to their organisations website, go to the boxes at the bottom of the page to be re-directed. Thank you

 

Under the Civil Contingencies Act (CCA) 2004, a Category 1 responder is a key organisation at the core of emergency response. These responders have specific legal duties to prepare for and respond to emergencies. Category 1 responders are primarily public bodies and emergency services responsible for carrying out the frontline response to emergencies, including planning and preparation.

The duties of a Category 1 responder include:

• Risk Assessment: Assessing local risks and ensuring they are prepared for.
• Emergency Planning: Developing and maintaining emergency plans to respond to potential incidents.
• Business Continuity: Ensuring they have arrangements in place to maintain their critical services during emergencies.
• Public Awareness: Warning, informing, and advising the public during an emergency.
• Cooperation and Information Sharing: Collaborating with other responders and sharing information to coordinate effective emergency response.

Examples of Category 1 responders include:

• Emergency services (police, fire, ambulance)
• Local authorities
• NHS bodies (such as hospital trusts and Public Health England)
• Environmental Agency
• Maritime and Coastguard Agency

These organisations are considered essential in managing and responding to crises, ensuring public safety and well-being during emergencies.

 

A Category 2 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act (CCA) 2004 refers to organisations that play a supporting role in emergency preparedness and response. While they are less likely to be directly involved in the initial response to an emergency compared to Category 1 responders, their collaboration is critical in managing the broader impacts of an incident, particularly in terms of infrastructure and essential services.

Category 2 responders are typically organisations in sectors such as utilities and transport that own or operate essential services or infrastructure.

Responsibilities of Category 2 Responders:

• Cooperation: They are required to cooperate with Category 1 responders and share relevant information to support a coordinated response to emergencies.
• Information Sharing: Category 2 responders must provide information to help Category 1 responders fulfill their duties in emergency planning and response.
• Business Continuity Planning: Although not required to maintain emergency plans, they are expected to ensure continuity in their service delivery during an emergency.

Examples of Category 2 responders include:

• Utility companies (electricity, gas, water, and telecommunications)
• Transport operators (railway networks, airport operators, Highways England)
• Health and Safety Executive
• Port and harbor authorities

These organisations play a vital role in ensuring essential services remain operational or are restored during and after emergencies, supporting the work of Category 1 responders.