Improving the Resilience of Critical Infrastructure from Natural Hazards David Murphy Assistant Director Natural Hazards Team Civil Contingencies Secretariat
Outline Civil Contingencies Secretariat Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure Improving Resilience from Natural Hazards
Civil Contingencies Secretariat Overall Aim: To improve the UK s resilience by building the capabilities needed to absorb, respond to and recover from disruptive challenges
Civil Contingencies Secretariat Civil Contingencies Secretariat Capabilities Horizon Scanning & Response Local Response Capability Emergency Planning College Natural Hazards Team Co-ordinate cross-government work to reduce the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to natural hazards
Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure from natural hazards
Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure Summer 2007 Floods Impacts on critical infrastructure: 350,000 people without clean water for up to 17 days 42,000 people without power in Gloucester for 24 hours 10,000 people trapped on M5 Motorway overnight Many others stranded on the rail network Hospitals, schools and care homes
Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure The Pitt Review found vulnerability caused by: Frequency & severity of natural hazard events Society's increasing dependence on services Larger populations relying on the same supplies Loss of redundancy in networks Increased interconnections between networks Un-coordinated & reactive response to events
Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure Sir Michael Pitt recommended: Government should establish a systematic, coordinated cross sector campaign to reduce the disruption caused by natural hazards to critical infrastructure and essential services
Improving Resilience from Natural Hazards
Improving Resilience to Natural Hazards Critical Infrastructure Resilience Programme Reduce most substantial risks Provide mechanisms to increase resilience Enhance capacity of infrastructure to absorb shock Ensure an effective emergency response
Improving Resilience from Natural Hazards Government s Commitment to implement recommendations on infrastructure: 50. Publish National Framework & Policy Statement 51. Identify the vulnerability & risk of assets to flooding in Sector Resilience Plans 52. Build a level of resilience into critical infrastructure assets from flooding 53. Establish role of economic regulators in resilience 54. Business continuity planning for infrastructure operators
Improving Resilience to Natural Hazards Natural Hazards Team By 30 June 2009 Establish Natural Hazards Team (NHT) Publish Strategic Framework and Policy Statement By 31 December 2009 Sector Resilience Plans for the most critical sites Other dates Guidance for economic regulators mid-2009 National Resilience Plan - late 2010
Improving Resilience from Natural Hazards Two key work strands: Short term Make early assessment of the most critical sites and take action to protect from flooding Long term Building resilience into the infrastructure networks and systems on an all hazards basis
Summary 2007 floods highlighted our vulnerability Natural Hazards Team working to: Understand existing resilience Prevent repeat 2007 Set standards for resilience Establish programme to improve resilience Consultation: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/ukresilience
Improving the Resilience of Critical Infrastructure from Natural Hazards David Murphy Assistant Director Natural Hazards Team Civil Contingencies Secretariat