Ready in the UK
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We continued to develop our UK emergency response capabilities in 2005. In July, we signed an agreement with the Local Government Association and other voluntary organisations, to enable us to work better together, in line with the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.
We also introduced new services to meet growing needs. For instance, working in partnership with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, we sent psychosocial support workers to help British nationals caught up in overseas disasters.
These teams flew to Thailand and Sri Lanka to support British families affected by the tsunami, and also comforted people following the bomb attacks in Egypt, Hurricane Wilma in Mexico and the Asian earthquake.
Our unique fire and emergency support service continued to respond to hundreds of emergencies last year – from domestic fires to floods and evacuations.
A mother and her child from Haslemere in Surrey, who lost their home in a fire, were among those helped by this service last year. The woman later said: “Your help was crucial to helping us rebuild our lives. You are our unsung heroes.” | |
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