Types of risk
Dorset is a safe county in which to live, work and visit.
Emergencies, such as those described on this website are rare. This page explains some types of emergencies that could occur, what the likelihood is of such an event ever happening and what the possible impact would be if it did.
Community Risk Register
Under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, the Dorset Local Resilience Forum is required to ensure that events or situations which threaten serious damage to the people of Dorset, or our environment, are identified, and where possible, controlled or mitigated against. The Dorset Community Risk Register is produced to assist in this process.
The Dorset Community Risk Register shows which risks have been identified to affect Dorset including the assessment of each risks impact and likelihood. The risks are presented in a matrix that allocates a risk rating according to government guidelines, it is a living document as the Dorset Local Resilience Forum members review and update the risks in accordance with the National Risk Assessments (document is not publicly available) produced biennially by the government.
The production of this document (see below) fulfills a legal obligation under the Civil Contingencies Act, 2004.
What is the Community Risk Register for?
The purpose of the Register is to:
- Ensure that local responders have an accurate understanding of the risks they face and to provide a sound foundation for planning;
- Provide a rational basis for prioritising objectives, work programmes and allocation of resources;
- Enable local responders to assess the adequacy of their plans and identify any gaps;
- Facilitate joined up planning, based on consistent planning assumptions;
- Provide an accessible overview of emergency planning for the public and officials;
- Inform and reflect on national and regional risk assessments that support emergency planning and capability development at those levels.
Weather-related
Severe weather »
Low temperatures and heavy snow »
Storms, gales and high waves »
Heatwave »
Health-related
Pandemic flu »
Infectious diseases »
Animal diseases »
Environment-related
Flooding »
Heathland and forest fires »
Rockfalls and landslides »
Transport-related
Disruption to fuel supplies »
Business-related
Business Continuity »
Crime-related
Cyber attacks »
Terrorism »
More information about emergencies and risk
An emergency is an event that can:
- Result in loss of life
- Cause injury to people
- Damage property and the environment
- Disrupt daily living
For the purposes of the LRF, the type of large emergencies we plan for and respond to are usually defined as:
"A severe event or situation, with a range of significant impacts, which requires special arrangements to be implemented by one or more emergency responder organisations."
The Dorset LRF has a legal duty under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 to produce a Community Risk Register.
This is to identify the risks likely to occur in our area and to develop plans and responses to reduce these risks, as well as informing you, the public, that this work and activity is taking place. We share information about these risks on this website.
Even if the risks are very unlikely to happen, their potential impact could be high, which is why we are providing this information.
The LRF assesses the levels of risk for a range of potential hazards in Dorset. These can be wide ranging so a common approach is required. Our risk assessment examines the Likelihood of hazards occurring in the area and the Impact that they would have if they did. This results in the overall Risk Rating you see on each page.