www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Recent Events
During the past few years the unit has been involved to varying degrees in a number of operations. Some of these events only required the unit to provide emergency plans, in others it has been necessary for the unit to actively participate in the incident by providing operational support to County Council departments and the emergency services. Below is a list of the events we have been involved with since Jan 1998. Some are one-off whilst others are annual or recurring events.
Operation Crusade. Disposal of World War 2 German ordnance in Chippenham. Evacuation of 1100 members of the public for a three-day period.
Operation Abbott. Disposal of chemical ordnance on the ranges at Winterbourne Gunner.
Y2K. Planning to prevent problems occurring on IT reliant systems over the period of the millennium. Assisting event organisers in putting on safe celebrations.
Eclipse. Providing emergency plans to deal with the expected influx of people travelling to the South West to witness the eclipse.
Operation Echo. Responding to the effects of the fuel protest in keeping essential services running within the county.
Foot and Mouth Outbreak. Coordination of the County Council response to the Foot and Mouth disease outbreak within the county. Provision of help lines for general purpose use throughout the height of the problem, and close liaison with all agencies involved in dealing with the effects.
Flooding. Responding to flooding events that have affected various parts of the county to varying degrees. Provision of rest centre facilities for those evacuated.
Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford and Kemble Air Day. Assisting in the mutual aid and planning arrangements with Gloucestershire Emergency Planning Unit to cover these events.
Summer Solstice at Stonehenge. Working in close liaison with English Heritage to ensure a safe event for those attending.
Motor sports events at Castle Coombe and Keevil airfield. Assisting organisers with emergency planning arrangements.
Removal of contaminated waste. The unit participated in the emergency planning arrangements involved with decommissioning a chemical recycling plant within the county. It is currently working closely with contractors who are to remove a large contaminated mound to enable the construction of a new road.
Military displays. Working in close cooperation with Ministry of defence agencies to formulate contingency plans to cover military display days at locations throughout the county.
Ordnance found at Old TA centre in Trowbridge. The EPU assisted in making arrangements for a 100 metre cordon to be put in place and in the evacuation of the TA end of County Hall and all of the County Council and trade premises which front on to Bythesea Road. The Explosive Ordnance Demolition (EOD) team was called and the operation to render the ammunition safe lasted approximately six hours.
West Lavington Dams. The EPU was informed that three dams supporting 20,000 cubic metres of water were close to collapse. Plans were put into place for evacuating residents from the houses at risk and a rest centre was opened in the village hall.
Gas Leak. The EPU assistance was requested following a major gas leak in Amesbury. A total of 200 people were evacuated and a rest centre was opened at the Amesbury Sports Centre.
Armed Siege. The Police set up a cordon in Trowbridge to deal with an armed siege. As a result the EPU was requested to provide facilities for members of the public unable to return to their homes. The Salvation Army Hall in Trowbridge was opened and alternative accommodation was also arranged for residents from the sheltered senior citizen flats that were close to the incident.
Contact Details
By Post
Emergency Planning Unit
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
BA14 8JD
By Email
emergencyplanning@wiltshire.gov.uk
By Telephone
01225 713159
By Fax
01225 713156
By Hand
County Hall, Trowbridge
Opening Hours
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm
