Policy paper

The national flood emergency framework for England

It brings together information, guidance and key policies and is a resource for all involved in flood emergency planning.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Environment Agency and Public Health England
• Published: 31 October 2013
• Last updated: 18 December 2014 — See all updates

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Applies to England

Documents

The National Flood Emergency Framework for England (updated: December 2014)

Ref: PB14238

PDF, 2.24 MB

Detailed Guidance on Developing a Multi-Agency Flood Plan

Ref: PB14046

PDF, 1.12 MB, 48 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

This Framework sets out the government’s strategic approach to achieving the aims set out below and is intended for use by all those involved in planning for and responding to flooding from:

• the sea
• rivers
• surface water
• groundwater and
• reservoirs

The concept of a National Flood Emergency Framework was promoted by Sir Michael Pitt in his report on the summer 2007 floods. Its purpose is to provide a forward looking policy framework for flood emergency planning and response. It brings together information, guidance and key policies and is a resource for all involved in flood emergency planning at national, regional and local levels. It is a common and strategic reference point for flood planning and response for all tiers of government and for responder organisations.

More precisely, the purpose of the Framework is to:

• ensure delivery bodies understand their respective roles and responsibilities
• give all players in an emergency flooding situation a common point of reference - bringing together information, guidance and key policies in a single planning document
• establish clear thresholds for emergency response arrangements
• place proper emphasis on the multi-agency approach to managing flooding events
• provide clarity on the means of improving resilience and minimising the impact of flooding events
• provide a basis for individual responders to develop and review their own plans and
• be a long-term asset that will provide the basis for continuous improvement in flood emergency management

Published 31 October 2013
Last updated 18 December 2014 + show all updates

1. 18 December 2014

   Framework document updated and replaced.

2. 31 October 2013

   First published.