A risk is a hazard (non-malicious, for example, flooding) or threat (malicious, for example, terrorist attack) that could adversely affect an organisation and its ability to carry out its functions. The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 defines a major emergency as:

'Any event (happening with or without warning) causing or threatening death or injury, damage to property or to the environment or disruption to the community, which because of the scale of its effects cannot be dealt with by the emergency services and local authorities as part of their day-to-day activities.'

Central Government aims to ensure that all organisations have clear and effective risk assessment processes in place and has produced documentation to see this aim through. These include:

• The Civil Contingencies Act 2004
• Local Risk Assessment Guidance 2005/6

Section two of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 provides category one responders (local government, emergency services etc.) with statutory duties to prepare for risks and respond to any incidents resulting from them in the most effective ways possible.

Part of this duty is the completion of regular risk assessments. These drive a standard approach to emergency planning by informing emergency plans, Business Continuity plans and the monitoring and updating mechanisms of these plans.

Risk assessments are completed and maintained within a Community Risk Register - a list of the risk assessments undertaken by the category one responders. The category one responders cooperate and work closely on key aspects of emergency planning, such as risk assessments, through the Local Resilience Forum.

This forum is the principle mechanism for multi-agency planning at a local level and it ensures an effective response to emergencies while aiding the return to normality.

A summary of the public version of the Community Risk Register for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole Local Resilience Forum can be viewed here (pdf, 74kb) (opens in a new window) .