The best way of testing these arrangements is through an emergency exercise . The police , ambulance and fire services know their territories well and so do local authorities . But the Home Office has many other emergency planning functions. For example, it helps government ministers react to major incidents, alerts them when there's a threat to public safety from, for example, a rogue satellite, comet, severe storms or unexploded bombs. Each bit of government in England, Wales , Northern Ireland and Scotland has an assigned role to play in a major disaster and is known as the lead government department according to its area of expertise and responsibility.
Most people think of the blue light services or the armed forces responding to an incident.
Whilst their role is vital, many volunteers help support them at the disaster scene and beyond. The Women's Royal Voluntary Service , for example, feeds rescuers during a long incident and this sort of help is often pre-arranged and included in emergency plans. Members of the Casualties Union act out the part of the injured or the general public at emergency exercises. If a council wants to see how long it would take to evacuate the local shopping centre, these volunteers give their services to help ensure public safety. Here's a list of some voluntary bodies who help at disasters.