How the LRF responds

Emergency Reception Centres

What is an Emergency Reception Centre?
An Emergency Reception Centre (ERC) is a facility where persons evacuated from an area affected by an incident can receive essential welfare services, basic refreshments and shelter for short periods of time (up to 48 hours).

The purpose of an ERC is to provide basic welfare (shelter, food and clothing) for the uninjured survivors and/or for those who have been made homeless as a result of an incident. The ERC is a temporary facility until more appropriate, favourable, more permanent accommodation can be arranged.

If you are unable to return to your home as a result of an emergency, unable to stay with friends or family, or unable to arrange alternative accommodation through your insurer, then your Local Housing Authority (which will be either Bedford Borough Council, Mid Beds District Council, South Beds District Council or Luton Borough Council) will make an assessment to determine whether you are entitled to temporary accommodation.

Types of Centre
There are two main variations of the types of ERC that could be established. These variations are dependant on the type of incident and for who the centre is intended for, whether it be for those directly affected by the incident or for the friends and family of those involved in a major incident. These forms of ERC are discussed in further detail below.

Emergency Reception Centre / Survivor Reception Centre
These centres provide for uninjured survivors of an incident and for those made homeless as a result of the incident. The responsibility for organising, staffing and providing logistical support at emergency and survivor reception centres rests with the Local Authorities, supported by other organisations, including the voluntary sector. The control of access to such centres should aim to prevent uninvited media representatives or onlookers disturbing those inside.

Friends and Relatives Reception Centre
Many people will travel to scene or to the location/area of an incident if they believe their friends or relatives have been involved in the emergency. If necessary, the police, in consultation with the local authority will establish a friends and relatives reception centre.

These centres will be staffed by local authority and police personnel with support being provided by suitably trained voluntary organisation staff. Representatives of faith organisations will also be involved.

When might you end up in an Emergency Reception Centre?
If you are evacuated from your home, you will be entitled to emergency accommodation for up to 48 hours in an Emergency Reception Centre. An ERC will be established during an incident where it is assessed that a significant number of people may have to be evacuated or are likely to become displaced and alternative accommodation is not likely to be available.

Where might an Emergency Reception Centre be located?
The premises usually used for such centres are mainly upper schools within the county, although a full and comprehensive list of all possible establishments is held by the Civil Contingencies Unit (CCU) at Bedfordshire County Council and the Civil Protection Team at Luton Borough Council (LBC).

What services will be provided at an Emergency Reception Centre?
The most important features of an Emergency Reception Centre are to provide safe shelter, warmth and refreshment to those affected, and to register their details. An ERC should also be a facility where evacuees can find out information, gain support, feel comfortable and cared for.

It is vital that the most current and up-to-date information be provided to those affected at all times.

The following services and facilities for Emergency Reception Centres have been previously identified and arranged through the County Council and the voluntary agencies (under the Bedfordshire & Luton Emergency Volunteers Executive Committee (BLEVEC) organisation). Click here to see the BLEVEC Terms of Reference and Membership.

Some services you will have access to are:

• Transportation including the transportation of disabled / elderly etc
• Reception and registration to ensure family and friends can get in touch and know where you are
• Refreshments: hot and cold meals as well as general refreshment
• Information points / advice
• Access to telephones / ability to contact friends and family
• Designated areas for sleeping, rest, entertainment, washing, property etc
• Access to Emergency Reception Centre staff/professionals on a one to one basis
• Provision for pets
• Access to doctor/medical staff
• Welfare and befriending
• Longer-term support.

Why do we set-up Emergency Reception Centres?
If you are affected by an emergency BLLRF is committed to providing you with the best possible support and assistance available. In addition local authorities have general powers to provide temporary shelter in the form of rest centres for people who have been temporarily evacuated from their homes because of an emergency (The Local Government Act (LGA) 1972, section 138). It is the responsibility of the local authorities to manage and co-ordinate the activation, set-up and running of the centre with the support of the necessary voluntary agencies.

Who is responsible for Emergency Reception Centres?
If a Major Incident has been declared the co-ordination of Emergency Reception Centres is the responsibility of BLLRF (Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum) SCG (Strategic Co-ordinating Group). The management and operation of Emergency Reception Centres carried out by local authority and voluntary agencies staff. Alternatively the co-ordination of the ERC is the responsibility of Bedfordshire County Council or Luton Borough Council supported by other agencies.

The County Council will lead on the response and activation to set-up and facilitate an Emergency Reception Centre with assistance and liaison with the District / Borough Councils.

During the set up and operation of the Emergency Reception Centre the voluntary agencies will fulfil the majority of the staffing roles. The voluntary agencies will use their everyday skills, experience and resources to ensure the effective and efficient running of the centre and to make the evacuees/survivors as comfortable and as well informed as possible.

Your care and treatment at an Emergency Reception Centre
The care of those involved in a major incidents and the way they are treated lie at the heart of our response. In particular, the sudden impact of a major incident may cause physical injury, affect people’s mental state or affect their material welfare. Welfare considerations embrace anyone who may be affected by an incident, which usually include various key groups of people:

• Those who have been injured
• Those directly caught up in the incident, but who are not physically hurt
• Those who have been mentally affected by the incident
• Families and friends of the injured, missing or deceased
• Rescuers and response workers
• Wider sections of the community whose lives are affected or disrupted
• Witnesses and spectators.

Provision of First Aid will be provided on site at the Emergency Reception Centres by the British Red Cross and / or St. John Ambulance. First Aid and other support for health needs, including mental health, can be provided on site through the Primary Care Trust.

Although every attempt will be made to transport those people requiring hospital treatment straight to hospital, some injured / walking wounded may arrive at the Emergency Reception Centre. As such, members of the First Aid Team should assist to welcome people into the centre whilst checking for people who need medical attention.

Your care and treatment as an uninjured survivor
Those who have survived a major incident with no physical injuries (or with only minor injuries) may nevertheless be traumatised and suffering from shock, intense anxiety and grief. They will, therefore, need to be treated with great sensitivity.

As a survivors you may be concerned for information about your own relatives, friends and colleagues, information about the incident, number and location of other survivors, and what will happen to you next and when. Research has shown that the initial needs of survivors are likely to include:

• Shelter and warmth (inc. heating and lighting)
• Information and assistance with communication
• Support in their distress
• Food and drink
• First aid to treat minor injuries
• Changing, washing and toilet facilities
• Spare clothing
• Prescribed Medication
• Psycho-social support
• Telephone access.

A survivor may also need social support beyond these immediate requirements, for example, help in contacting family and friends, transport back home, finding temporary accommodation, and financial advice and assistance. This further advice maybe provided at the Humanitarian Assistance Centre (HAC).

Being prepared:
To be ready if you are every evacuation read the BLLRF Get Ready Guidance.

Download the ERC Evacuee Leaflet that you would receive if you ever ended up in an ERC.

Download the Reception Centre plan [Adobe PDF document, 3.06 MB].

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