Greater Manchester has been honoured as an ‘Innovator of the
Decade’ for its work to make sure pets are looked after at times
of emergency.
The RSPCA has announced that the Association of Greater
Manchester Authorities Civil Contingencies and Resilience Unit
(CCRU) has won its most prestigious award, the Innovator of the
Decade. The unit is one of just two organisations in the whole of
England and Wales to ever be given the accolade.
The award is recognising the work that has been done to ensure
that pets and animals are among the priority considerations
during an emergency response thanks to Greater Manchester’s use
of the pioneering 3Ps during evacuation and shelter planning:
People, Pets, Possessions.
In Greater Manchester a Strategic Multi-Agency Pet Evacuation
Plan has been developed, giving guidance to all responding
agencies on what they need to consider in relation to pets during
a major emergency, including identifying space for pets in rest
and evacuation centres and giving guidance for dealing with lost
and left pets.
The need for a proper plan for animals in case of an emergency
was highlighted in June 2012 when a large explosion seriously
damaged a number of homes in Shaw in Oldham, sadly killing
toddler Jamie Heaton and leading to the evacuation of nearly 250
properties.
As the explosion had taken place during the day, many residents
were at work and the pets had been left behind, as people
returned home, they gathered at the cordon worried about their
pets and some even considered going through the cordon to get
their animals.
The council started a detailed spreadsheet with a variety of
information, including the details of any pets left in properties
which was then used throughout the process of rescuing pets from
homes and reuniting them with their owners. All the pets,
including dogs, cats, hamsters, tortoises, ferrets and terrapins,
were rescued and returned to their owners thanks to this method.
The incident highlighted that during emergency evacuations pets
could be overlooked and that the approach across Greater
Manchester for pets was varied and inconsistent, emergency
services also had little plans in place for what to do. The 3Ps
now ensure that pets are at the heart of our emergency response.
Kathy Oldham, Greater Manchester’s Chief Resilience Officer said:
“People’s pets are very often part of the family so it is only
right that at times of emergency, we look out for them as well.
When people are forced to leave their homes it can be extremely
stressful and making sure their pets are included in our planning
can help to make things that little bit easier for people.
“It is a real honour for Greater Manchester to be given this
award and we will continue to work hard to put animals at the
heart of the work we do.”
The 3Ps was highlighted during the Wing Fat wholesale company
fire in October 2017, which evacuated many properties. One couple
with a dog attended a rest centre and could not stay with family
and friends. The tactical officer from the local authority and
the reception centre manager went out of their way to find the
couple a pet friendly hotel and arrange transport for them.
Staff from the Unit attended a Winners Reception in London
yesterday (Tuesday, November 27) to collect their award.
Rachel Williams, senior parliamentary advisor for the RSPCA,
said: “The Innovator of the Decade judges wanted to recognise the
unit for the 3Ps contingency planning work as they are still, so
many years after the tragic gas explosion that inspired it, the
country-leaders in this area.
“Their proactive approach to recognising and promoting animals in
their contingency planning work is unmatched - and has a clear
and tangible effect on both animal and human welfare.”
