Civil Contingencies Act 2004


Civil Contingencies Act 2004

An Act of Parliament which provides the framework for emergency and disaster planning and response on local and national levels in the UK, replacing the Civil Defence Act (1948), which was ill-equipped for domestic squabbles related to fuel, flooding and foot and mouth disease and serious emergencies such as terrorism.
The Act is divided into three parts—Part 1, which defines local arrangements for civil protection, is of particular medical interest. Part 1 lists core (category 1) responders: “blue light” services—emergency medical services, police, fire, coast guard, primary care trusts, acute trusts, foundation trusts, health protection agency, port health authorities, local authorities and environment agency.