Scientific & Technical Advice Cell

The project

The Buncefield oil depot fire in 2005 drew attention to the need for a stronger network of technical support in an emergency. Recognising that most emergency incidents impact on the environment and on health, the London Fire Brigade, approached the Association of London Environmental Health Managers for help.

After considerable work between ALEHM and LFB, arrangements were agreed to better support the emergency Science and Technical Advice Cells (STAC) that are activated during major incidents. This was further reinforced by the provision of training of Environmental Health Practitioners that have investigative skills; experience of communication with a wide audience; project management skills; and familiarity with risk assessment in a variety of scenarios.

What we did

The Association of London Environmental Health Managers helped the LFB to better navigate with different stakeholders to explore potential mechanisms to support emergency services during emergencies and major incidents. We helped to determine that the role potentially required:

• investigation of infectious diseases;
• knowledge of local arrangements and systems;
• knowledge of local meteorology (from awareness of pollution), food premises, commercial premises, historical contaminated land data and knowledge of waste or other potentially hazardous sites;
• designation under the Food and Environmental Protection Act 1985; and
• liaison with the Government Decontamination Service.

More information

For more information about this project contact the ALEHM Chair.