Wokingham

Organisations across the county have learnt how to plan for their businesses to continue to operate in the event of a major emergency, after Wokingham District Council joined forces with neighbouring authorities to organise exercise ‘Bright Star’.

Organised by the Berkshire Regional Continuity Forum (which is made up of the six Berkshire unitary authorities and local businesses), the event took place at Bracknell Leisure Centre on September 20 and offered the chance for businesses from across the county to learn how they might operate in the aftermath of, for instance, a major snowstorm or flooding.
Participants learnt how they should consider the issues involved with maintaining services during an emergency and how stretched other key organisations, such as the NHS, emergency services and local utilities could be.

Cllr Barrie Patman Wokingham District Council, executive member for community safety, said, “Events like this give us opportunities to think ahead, planning for an emergency whilst we have the time and presence of mind to consider all the options.

“Feedback showed that participants were very pleased with the day and I look forward to similar events in the future.”

Membership of the Berkshire Regional Forum is free and open to any business in Berkshire. For more information about the forum, email emergency.planning@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.

Wokingham District Council