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The arrangements are intended to cover incidents such as damage to containers
occurring on premises where expert assistance is not immediately available or
accidents to vehicles carrying radioactive substances.
All requests for assistance are channelled through the police, who have been
told where to apply for expert advice and assistance. Instructions have also been
given to the police to notify the Medical Officer of Health. It is his duty to appraise
the extent of the hazard to the public. In the event of contamination of food
supplies, he should take appropriate steps to ensure that it does not reach the
consumer.
No such incidents were reported during the year.
CIVIL DEFENCE
Again this year I am indebted to the Civil Defence Officer both for his ready
co-operation during the year and for much of the following information.
Ambulance and First Aid Section
Details of the re-organisation of Civil Defence were published in February.
Under the new arrangements separate sections, including the Ambulance and First
Aid Section, were to be abolished at the end of September. In consequence, the
corps, whose future role is to assist in manning the local authority control and
communication system, was re-organised on a non-sectional basis.
Ministry of Health Circular 14/67, First Aid Services in War, sets out new
arrangements for casualty collection and first aid services in war, making maximum
use of local authority staff and of the organised assistance which could be provided
by the British Red Cross Society and the St. John Ambulance Brigade.
In consultation with the local branches of the Voluntary Aid Societies the
council is preparing new emergency plans for submission to the Ministry of Health.
The Civil Defence (Casualty Services) Regulations, 1967
These regulations require the council to make plans for setting up a wartime
service for the collection and first aid care of casualties.
The Greater London Council, the peacetime ambulance authority for this
borough, is required to make plans for the expansion of the peacetime ambulance
service to meet wartime needs and to maintain sufficient training vehicles.
Both authorities are required to train persons who will be engaged in these
services.
Civil Defence (Training in Nursing) Regulations, 1963
Three Ministry of Health short courses in First Aid and Home Nursing were
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