Disbanding of the role of Parish Civil Emergency Liaison Officers

1240/5(2216)

WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMITE DES CONNETABLES BY THE DEPUTY OF ST. JOHN

ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 9th NOVEMBER 2004

Question

1. In response to my written questions on26thOctober 2004, the Chairman stated that thedecision had been taken inMay2004, to disband the P.C.E.L.O.'sand that all Parishes had nowdisbanded the rôle. Would the Chairman advise memberswhen the various Parishes notified their P.C.E.L.O's. that they weredisbanded and give the date this was this done?
2. As the Parishof St. Helier retains a P.C.E.L.O. group,would the President inform memberswho will replace the P.C.E.L.O.'sinother Parishes?
3. Would the Chairman confirm that ithas been proposed by the Comitédes Connétable s that the Territorial Army stationed in Jersey would be well placed to undertake the monitoring work formerly carriedoutby the P.C.E.L.O.s? Wouldhealso advise whetherdiscussions with the Home Affairs Committee have takenplace on this matter and whenandwhatwas that Committee'sresponse?If the answer is in the negative, will the Chairman explain who is currently carrying out any monitoring work in the event of an accident or emergency?

Answer

1. The decision to disband the P.C.E.L.O.'s was taken by the Comité des Connétable s at its meeting in May 2004, following receipt of correspondence from the Emergency Planning Officer (E.P.O.) that he and the Deputy of St John had reached agreement that the post should be disbanded as the Parish emergency procedures were based upon the Honorary Police. I am advised that the P.C.E.L.O's were notified on various dates between May and October 2004.
2. The Parish of St Helier does not retain a P.C.E.L.O. group. As stated in the reply on 26th October 2004, the Parish of St Helier retains a group of volunteers who form the Parish of St Helier Support Team. This team has been in existence for a number of years and operates under the leadership of the officer who was formerly the St Helier Parish Civil Emergency Liaison Officer and who is also a member of the St Helier Honorary Police. The St Helier Support Team provides back-up support for various activities and events within the Parish including events such as closure of roads, first aid for public functions, dealing with casualties, etc.
3. The role of the P.C.E.L.O's was reviewed as part of a review of the Parish Outline Responsibilities in the Emergency Measures Plan. It was apparent to the Connétable s and to the E.P.O. that the responsibilities listed were, in practice, carried out by the Honorary Police through the emergency procedures and therefore the decision was taken to disband the post. However the E.P.O. stated that it would be useful in the event of a radiological incident to have expertise within the Parish capable of taking measurements and suggested either training members of the Honorary Police or using the Jersey Warning and Monitoring Team; although the latter option was later withdrawn as there are currently no members living in some parishes.

I n reply, the Comité des Connétable s suggested that the Territorial Army stationed in Jersey would be well

placed to undertake the work. No discussions were held with the Home Affairs Committee but the Comité has recently been informed by the E.P.O. that the Field Squadron is unable to assist with this role.

T h e Comité has decided that it is not the responsibility of the Connétable s to provide persons to carry out radiological testing but that this should be carried out by a central agency on behalf of the Island. The Comité understands that the staff at Public Health Services is already involved with monitoring radiation levels in food and the environment and would consider any decision on health implications of the monitoring of radioactivity levels in the event of a radiological incident as being a matter for the Medical Officer of Health. I, therefore, wrote to the Emergency Planning Officer on 2nd November to inform him of the Comité's decision and to suggest he contact officers at that department to discuss arrangements for radiological testing.

S h ould the Deputy require further information in this respect then he is most welcome to contact me direct

outside of the States sitting.