Support Centre staff recruitment
Call for volunteers
As a Category 1 responder, Moray Council has obligations under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to provide support to the public in an emergency. Part of this obligation is to provide a Support Centre when appropriate.
Support Centres provide a safe place for anyone displaced from their home during a major disruptive event. The decision to open a Support Centre could be made by the council under our Incident Management process or by the Local Resilience Partnership, which includes other Cat. 1 responders.
We’re now looking to recruit at least 26 current or former employees who would be willing to volunteer to staff our Support Centres in the case of an emergency. Current staff who volunteer to go on the rota for a seven day period twice a year, will receive two additional days annual leave, regardless of whether or not they’re stood up for a response.
If you’re interested in becoming Support Centre staff please email the Emergency Planning Officer on emergencyplanning@moray.gov.uk.
Things to bear in mind:
- Support Centre staff will go on a rota for a seven-day period, twice a year.
- Support centres may have to operate out of hours and can be in place for up to a period of 72 hours.
- For each 24-hour period Support Centre staff can only operate for 8 hours at a time (each 24-hour period needs three teams to be available).
- Your regular line manager must agree that you can be released at short notice to carry out Support Centre duties.
- There is a low likelihood of being deployed.
Roles available
Support Centre Manager (SCM)
Key responsibilities:
- Responsible for the operational management of Support Centre ensuring the implementation of the Support Centre Plan and procedures, organisation of centre activities and compliance with the relevant risk assessments.
- Liaise with and co-ordinate all partner agencies and specialist support services.
Deputy Support Centre Manager
As above to support SCM or if SCM is engaged.
Support Centre Staff x2
Key responsibilities:
- Assist to set up the Support Centre space in accordance with the centre plan and risk assessments, provide administrative support and assistance/information for evacuees.
Volunteer expectations
- To complete a volunteer application form with contact details, preferred method of contact, availability, role preferences etc.
- To attend role specific induction and/or general emergency response training sessions. One mandatory training session to be completed on an annual basis during working time.
- To advise of any changes to contact details, volunteer availability, etc.
- To provide specific details of any out-of-pocket expenses that have been agreed (before the expense has been incurred).
- If an employee wishes to end their volunteer agreement, they should inform the Emergency Planning Officer and their line manager as soon as possible.
- Volunteers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all proprietary or privileged information to which they are exposed while serving as a volunteer, whether this information involves a member of staff, volunteer, service users or other person, or involves the overall business of the organisation.
- Volunteers will not accept any gifts of money from persons they assist in their day-to-day tasks. The acceptance of small gifts (not exceeding £30) such as chocolates, should only be after a discussion with management.