8 Civil Emergencies

1. The Fire Service and Emergency Planning Division of The Scottish Office Home Department continued to provide grant support to police forces for the purposes of integrated emergency management planning training and exercising. In addition, it continued to fund the 2 staff officer posts to the former Zone Police Commanders. These 2 officers (Superintendents) are responsible for, among other things, development of central training and represent Scottish interests on the Home Office Liaison Group, which covers planning for times of tensions, crisis and war. They also undertake military liaison for all matters other than terrorist incidents.

2. The Civil Emergency/Major Incident Training (CEMIT) course is now an integral part of the Newly Promoted Inspectors Courses which are held centrally at the Scottish Police College, Tulliallan. During the year, 8 of these 2 day modules were held. The facilitators are drawn from the emergency planning officers from the 8 forces. In November 1997 the first of 2 one-day courses for chief inspectors was held at the College, with input from the other emergency services, local authorities, The Scottish Office, the Procurator Fiscal and a pathologist. A further one day seminar for superintendents was being planned during the year.

3. In June, September and November 1997 and February 1998 The Scottish Office Home Department sponsored a seventh series of general emergency courses for local authorities and emergency services etc. Three police personnel participated in these as tutors/speakers with a further 13 officers taking part as students.

4. Police personnel also participated in many local exercises in Scotland, held under the auspices of local authorities. The police emergency planning officers were also involved in organising numerous exercises for the 8 police authorities.