Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) - South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

As an NHS organisation, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) are designated a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act (2004). This places legal duties on the Trust to:

• Assess risks and plan for emergencies
• Maintain robust business continuity arrangements
• Share information and cooperate with other responders
• Communicate with the public before, during, and after emergencies

Being a Category 1 responder means we are at the forefront of emergency planning and response activities, working alongside other key agencies such as the police, fire and rescue services, and local authorities. The legal duties outlined within the CCA (2004) are overseen and undertaken by the Trusts Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) team.

The team plays a vital role in ensuring that the Trust is ready to respond effectively to emergencies, protect public health, and maintain essential services during disruptive events. 

Within SWASFT the EPRR department is made up of the following functions:

• Emergency Planning & Business Continuity Team
• Command Development Team
• Hazardous Area Response Team (HART)
• Special Operations Response Team (SORT)
• HEMS and Enhanced & Critical Care

Emergency Planning is the process of preparing for, responding to, and recovering from incidents that could disrupt normal services or pose risks to public health and safety. 

Within the NHS, this is governed by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and the NHS Core Standards for EPRR, which require all ambulance services to maintain robust plans for major incidents, business continuity, and resilience. 

For SWASFT, this means having clear strategies, trained staff, and tested procedures to ensure we can continue delivering care during emergencies whether that’s a severe weather event, a major transport accident, or a large-scale public gathering. This planning:

• Protects patients and staff by ensuring safe, coordinated responses
• Maintains essential services even during disruption
• Meets statutory obligations under NHS and government frameworks
• Builds confidence among partner agencies and the public that SWAST can respond effectively to any incident

Our Emergency Planning team works year-round to: 

• Develop and maintain major incident and business continuity plans
• Train and exercise staff in line with NHS EPRR Core Standards
• Coordinate with Local Resilience Forums, police, fire, and local authorities
• Deploy specialist resources such as HART and SORT when required
• Support event organisers through Safety Advisory Groups to ensure medical cover and contingency planning

Examples of events we support 

Emergency planning isn’t just about rare disasters, it’s vital for large public events across the South West. SWASFT provides command support and resilience planning for: 

• Summer & Winter Solstice
• Somerset Carnivals 
• Glastonbury Festival 
• Boardmasters 
• British Firework Championships 
• Cheltenham Races 
• Air Shows

These events attract thousands of people, creating risks such as crowd surges, medical emergencies, severe weather, and transport disruption. This planning ensures: 

• Appropriate medical cover and triage facilities
• Clear communication channels with event organisers and emergency services
• Contingency plans for evacuation, mass casualty incidents, and hazardous materials

By embedding emergency planning into everything we do, SWASFT ensures that whether it’s a festival, a sporting event, or an unexpected major incident, we are ready to protect lives and deliver the best possible care when it matters most.