An emergency can be defined as any event which threatens serious damage to human welfare, the environment or national security.
Emergency preparation in Scotland is based on the principles of Integrated Emergency Management (IEM). This focuses on the effects of emergencies, rather than their cause. It means putting plans in place that are flexible enough to deal with all kinds of disruptive challenges, from terrorist attack to flooding.
The Scottish approach is set out in Preparing Scotland: Scottish Guidance on Preparing for Emergencies.