Organisations across Aberdeen are today being encouraged to form community resilience volunteer groups which provide assistance to emergency services and the council during incidents or emergencies.
The call follows on from the successful Peterculter, and Cults and Milltimber, Community Resilience Groups formed by the areas’ Community Councils which helped considerably during Storms Arwen, Malik, and Corrie last winter.
Aberdeen City Council Net Zero, Environment, and Transport committee Vice-Convener Councillor Miranda Radley said: “We know that when emergencies happen that there are many people keen to help their community but are not sure how.
“Community resilience volunteer groups can assist as they are trained in what to do and how to best help the emergency services in these situations.
“We want to help organisations set up their own resilience group by providing help with training, grants, and insurance, which will help communities feel safe and prepared for emergencies.”
A new resilience group has just been set up in the Bridge of Don and Danestone area supported by the The King's Church Aberdeen, local community councils, Men’s Shed Bridge of Don, Sport Aberdeen, a Rotary club, and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
A spokesperson for The King's Church Aberdeen, which is one of the organisers for the new group, said: “We are delighted with the privilege to partner with the council and other agencies located in north of the city to provide community support as part of the community resilience volunteer group and be there for people when they need us”.
There are more than 300 resilience volunteer groups across Scotland and there are three in Aberdeen, the new one in Bridge of Don/Danestone, and also in Cults/Milltimber, and Peterculter. Typical emergencies which benefit from help from a group include floods, fires, snow and ice conditions, power cuts, and missing persons.
Resilience groups keep people informed, have a role for all, bring residents in a community together, helps communities feel safe and prepared for emergencies, and people become more community spirited.
Aberdeen City Council can help interested organisations by:
- Offering advice, guidance, and training;
- Assisting in compilation of a community plan;
- Giving guidance regarding grants and funding;
- Providing insurance.
A typical group would practice call outs, do volunteer work in non-emergency times to keep the group active, and would also receive input from emergency services with scenario planning.
Organisations can see how the Peterculter Community Council’s Resilience Group works at Culter Community Council | For the community in Peterculter (cultercc.org.uk)
Any organisation interesting in setting up a community resilience group should contact CRVG@aberdeencity.gov.uk.