In light of these challenges, the council has approved funding to recruit two additional officers, aiming to bolster the Civil Protection Unit. However, even with these new positions, the team will return to the staffing levels it had in 2022, raising questions about whether this is sufficient to meet the city's needs.
00:00Bristol City Council is expanding its emergency planning team in response to growing concerns about the city's ability to manage major crises.
00:10Currently, just three staff members are responsible for preparing the city for potential disasters, including terrorist attacks, high-rise fires, pandemics and floods.
00:21This small team has faced increasing pressure, with audit reports since 2023 indicating that the council's capacity to respond to significant emergencies is at risk of being overwhelmed.
00:35In light of these challenges, the council has approved funding to recruit two additional officers aiming to bolster the civil protection unit.
00:44However, even with these new positions, the team will not return to the staffing levels it had in 2022, raising questions about whether this is sufficient to meet the city's needs.
00:56The decisions to strengthen the team come amid heightened concerns about public safety.
01:03Recent incidents, such as fires in council tower blocks and a bomb scare in Bedminster, have underscored the importance of robust emergency planning.
01:15The council's civil protection unit is responsible for coordinating responses to emergencies, including setting up rest centres and mobilising resources.
01:26With the city hosting numerous events and facing various risks, the expanded teams will play a crucial role in ensuring Bristol is prepared for any eventuality.
01:38The move to strengthen the emergency team follows repeated warnings from internal auditors.
