Evacuation

Major emergencies often involve the need to provide temporary accommodation for groups of people. This may be to provide initial care following a transport accident, or an incident at a public event, or because they have been asked to leave their homes for their own safety (e.g. due to flooding).

The various centres that can be established often also have a role in the registration of survivors for the Police Casualty Bureau. This enables an accurate record to be made to help the authorities account for any missing persons and provide information for friends and relatives.

There are different centres that may be set up in order to provide temporary accommodation, depending on the circumstances:

Survivor Reception Centre

Temporary shelter established by the emergency services for the victims of a disaster to provide basic initial needs. The District Councils and voluntary organisations may be asked to assist in care of the evacuees.

Rest Centre

Premises established for the temporary accommodation of evacuees, able to provide facilities for feeding and sleeping. In many cases secondary schools are used. Run by the District Councils with assistance from the County Council and voluntary organisations.

Evacuation Centre

Premises established to provide temporary shelter for persons evacuated from their homes or places of work. Jointly run by the Police and the District Councils.

Friends and Relatives Centre

Premises established to meet the needs of friends and relatives who travel to the scene. Managed by Suffolk County Council's social care departments with assistance from the District Councils, Police and voluntary organisations.