As a designated "Category 1" responder under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, we are required to carry out Risk Assessments within our area. This process has been underway since guidance was issued by the Government in July 2005. By working closely with our partner organisations in Dorset, work is well advanced in assessing the levels of risk for a range of potential hazards in our area. The types of hazard we are looking at cover a wide range and include the threats to human health, for example caused by a serious break of a new human influenza virus, sometimes called "Pandemic Influenza". We are also assessing the likelihood of, and potential impacts associated with industrial accidents, flooding, transport accidents, the terrorist threat and serious disruption to supply of fuel, energy, communications and other essential services.

A "Community Risk Register" (CRR) has been compiled to show the preliminary results of these assessments. This will enable us to decide our priorities and identify further actions required, including contingency planning. Our joint aim within Dorset, is to improve our capability to respond to any disruptive challenges and minimise the effects on our communities.

We must also ensure our own services are "resilient" and can continue to be delivered at this required level.

The Bournemouth & Poole Resilience Group (BPRG) host the Community Risk Register on behalf of the Dorset Local Resilience Forum, bringing together all the responder organisations in the County including the emergency services, health trusts, local authorities, Environment and Health Protection Agencies. The preliminary Community Risk Registers are shown on the following site www.bprg.org.uk.

Further information on Resilience can be obtained from the following websites:

• www.odpm.gov.uk/civilresilience.
• www.ukresilience.gov.uk.