Heatwave TTX: Report and Resources

BACK

In April 2022, we hosted our second Capability Building session of the year, following our first event in January. The format of this event was a Table top Exercise (TTX), a discussion-based session allowing organisations and individuals to discuss what they believe their roles would be and their response to a particular situation. Sessions like this aim to build capability and connections, as well as increase emergency preparedness. The scenario of the event focussed on heatwaves, with the frequency of such weather events expected to rise in the coming years.  

(You can read more about why we need to focus on heatwaves in our blog here.) 

We had two events, the first for the South West and South East, and the second for the North, London, Midlands and East. Across the two days, we had a great turnout with 78 individuals in total and a mix of local community-based, emergency response specialist, Local Authority and Local Resilience Forum (LRF) representatives. This enabled dynamic and productive conversations, showcasing and sharing the vast range of knowledge, insight and experience our partners have.  

As previously mentioned, building capability is extremely important in emergency preparedness, which is why these events are so vital. There was recognition of the need to continue strengthening links, with the most effective way to do this through cross-sector working. No one organisation or body holds all the answers, therefore, knowing who can do what, when and where during a crisis, can lead to a more successful, coordinated response.  

You can read the EasyRetro boards completed during the sessions for the South West, South East, North, London, and Midlands and East. Each describes the hypothetical scenario, as well as a disadvantaged or under-represented group who may be at an increased risk.  

Reflections – Even if you didn’t attend the sessions, there are still reflections to take away that could encourage real cross-sector change, ultimately having a profound impact on strengthening emergency preparedness and response whilst building resilience for the whole of society.    

• What emergencies could arise from a heatwave? – For example, fires on heathlands either due to hot weather directly or indirectly from visitors with disposable barbeques. 

• Does your organisation have a heatwave plan? How might this fit with the national plan?  

• How are you linking with other organisations and building relationships? What might you do to diversify and strengthen these?  

• How can we best share learning from previous responses to improve ahead of time? 

• What/when are the points that trigger the emergency response and to convene as a group? 

Our post-event survey results show a 92% satisfaction rating, with 96% of attendees stating they would make an onward recommendation of the VCSEP. 92% of attendees reported an enhanced knowledge of the subject.  

Some of the actions partners took away as a result of attending included:  

• Continuing work to enable joined up collaboration at a hyper-local level. 

• Repeating the exercise within their organisation with staff and volunteers to assess how best they could react. 

• Engaging with relevant contacts in LRFs and Health Partnership networks. 

• Reviewing protocols and plans for developing emergencies and contact other VCSEP partners to continue making connections.  

Heatwave Preparedness Insight 

The Emergencies Partnership has collated a collection of alerts, guides, insight, and advice to support the sector in preparing for the challenges of extreme heat. 

UK Government: The Government has a selection of resources which will benefit the sector, including those specific to the  VCS.                                                                                                                                                    

• Heatwave Plan for England  

• Page 25 of the Heatwave Plan for England includes actions for the VCS.  

• Page 34 onwards shows anticipated impacts for other sectors during a Level 4 heatwave. 

• Page 43 of the Heatwave Plan for England shows the local threshold temperatures.  

• Beat the Heat: keep cool at home checklist.  

Met Office: The Met Office has details and guidance relating to heatwaves and heat-health alerts. 

• What is a heatwave? 

• What is the Heat-health Alert Service and what do the levels mean? 

• What is the current Heat-health alert level? 

• How to sign up for Met Office weather alerts.  

• What are the impacts of extreme heat? 

• What are the impacts of hot weather? 

NHS: The NHS has advice how to stay safe in hot weather. 

• How to cope in hot weather. 

• How to identify heat exhaustion and heatstroke.   

Age UK: 

• How older people can stay safe during a heatwave. 

British Red Cross: The BRC has a range of resources that can aid preparedness for a heatwave. 

• British Red Cross briefing on heatwaves. – OVERVIEW 

• British Red Cross briefing on heatwaves. - REPORT 

• Heatwave first aid advice. 

• Heatwave checklist. 

• The key recommendations for policy makers regarding heatwaves. 

The Environment Agency: 

• The social impacts of heatwaves.  

UK Health Security Agency: UKHSA has reports, research and analysis on the effects of heatwaves in the UK, including the possibility of excess deaths.  

• Heatwave mortality monitoring report 2020. 

• Mortality surveillance reports. 

If there are other resources that you use, please share them with us at info@vcsep.org.uk