Major Incident Policy


The Church of England's Diocese of Newcastle co-ordinates the clergy response in the event of a major incident, on its own behalf and that of the other denominations and faiths in the area.

For the purposes of this plan the term clergy includes ministers/pastors from all the Christian denominations, and leaders of other Faith communities.



DEFINITION OF A MAJOR INCIDENT from Northumbria Police Policy

Any emergency that requires the implementation of special arrangements by one or all of the emergency services, NHS or Local Authority for:

  • The rescue and transportation of a large number of casualties
  • The involvement, either directly or indirectly, of large numbers of people
  • The handling of a large number of enquiries likely to be generated both from the public and the news media, usually to the police
  • Any incident that requires the large-scale deployment of combined resources of the emergency services
  • The mobilisation and organisation of the emergency services and supporting organisations e.g. local authority to cater for the threat of death, serious injury or homelessness to a large number of people


CLERGY ROLE

The particular contribution of those from Churches and faith communities called to support will usually be in a reception centre for those affected, or their families and friends, and include

  • Recognition of the spiritual dimension of life and death:
  • A ministry of listening, care and comfort to those caught up in the incident. To include injured and non injured survivors, their friends and families, and the bereaved. This may be exercised at a Survivors Reception Centre, Evacuation Centre and/or a Friends and Family Centre.
  • Ensuring that any religious needs are met, as necessary liaising with representatives of the persons own faith or denomination.
  • Also providing care and support where required to rescue personnel and back up staff (e.g. caterers, administrative and facilities teams)


AREA COVERED

Planning covers the Northumbria Police Area (The Local Authority areas of Newcastle, Gateshead, Northumberland, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland).

TO VOLUNTEER TO BE PART OF THE CALL OUT LIST

Please contact the coordinator (see below).

DOWNLOADS

MIP Clergy Plan

MIP Call-out Action Sheet

COORDINATOR CONTACT DETAILS

DEPUTY COORDINATORS

Powered by Church Edit