Bath & North East Somerset Council has strong links with Bristol City, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Councils.

A pager system is shared, the duty emergency officer covers all 4 authorities.

Monthly meetings take place to discuss Emergency Management issues and to work together on exercises and plans.

Bristol City and North Somerset Councils have control rooms whilst Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire Councils use Council Connect – 01225 394041 or Out of Hours – 01225 477477  to receive emergency telephone calls.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is able to set up Emergency Control rooms in Bath, Keynsham Midsomer Norton and Lansdown when there is a major incident or crisis.

The following equipment can be provided:

Telephones, normal landline and links to the Emergency Communications Network
Faxes
E mail
Emergency radio kits
Rest Centre kits
Amateur radio equipment
Local area maps
Emergency equipment including loud hailers

In the event of a major incident a control room will be opened in whatever area is most appropriate.

There is ample space in each control room for key local authority officers to meet with Emergency Management officers and co-ordinate the local authority's response.

The telephone numbers of each control room  are distributed to emergency services, government departments, utilities and voluntary agencies so there can be a main point of contact for the local authority in an emergency.

Telephone calls can be transferred from Council Connect or Out of Hours Line to the appropriate control room to take telephone calls relating to the emergency from emergency personnel only.

Separate lines will be set up in the event of a help line being required.