Thursday 16 January 2014
States departments and emergency services will be testing their arrangements to respond to an influenza pandemic on 20 January 2014 in a multi-agency exercise, as part of the States of Guernsey preparedness for emergencies.
Influenza pandemic continues to be the Bailiwick's highest risk from an emergency planning perspective and it is therefore essential that the plans that are in existence are fit for purpose. The exercise will provide an opportunity to test the preparations and ensure that a coordinated and joined up approach would be in place should such a situation arise in the islands.
An overall, strategic level plan known as the Channel Island Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Strategy has been developed but there is also the need for individual departments and organisations to adopt suitable business continuity plans. These would ensure the continuation of critical services in the Bailiwick, if a large proportion of the workforce was unable to work.
Representatives from Health and Social Services Department, Home Department, Emergency Services, Education Department, Public Services Department, St James, Environmental Health and Alderney will attend the exercise. The States of Guernsey is grateful for the support from Public Health England, who will be facilitating the exercise.
Charlie Pallot, Senior Regional Emergency Preparedness Manager at Public Health England said:
"We are looking forward to facilitating this exercise and have supported the States of Guernsey with the planning and delivery around pandemic flu. This exercise gives the States of Guernsey, as well as the participants, the chance to test their knowledge and to identify lessons for future preparedness in a 'safe' environment and we hope that all involved enjoy and learn from the exercise."
Catherine Veron, the Emergency Planning Officer explained:
"As this is our highest risk, it is important to ensure we are suitably prepared. Plans are very helpful but the real benefit lies in ensuring that the relevant people and organisations are suitably aware and ready to act."
Dr Stephen Bridgman, Director of Public Health said:
"Multi-agency training events such as this exercise are an ideal opportunity for the various different departments and organisations to gain a better understanding, in a safe learning environment, of the likely issues they will have to face during an influenza pandemic."
A booklet about influenza pandemics is available to access from the Emergency Planning Bailiwick Risk Register section of the website a link to which is available at the bottom of this page.
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