With Scotland braced for a third Arctic winter in a row, Tayside’s authorities have met in Perth to test their emergency response plans.
Predictions of October snow seem to have been wrong but the first snowfall in Perth last year happened on November 25 less than five weeks away and led to almost three month of unbroken cover.
That has focused minds across the country and Monday’s exercise coincided with the launch of the Red Cross and Scottish Government’s national Ready for Winter? campaign.
The event took place at Perth Fire Station and was attended by nearly 50 people from agencies such as Tayside Police, Perth and Kinross Council and Tayside Fire and Rescue.
It was organised by the Tayside Strategic Coordinating Group partnership which brings together organisations involved in responding to emergencies.
Tayside Fire and Rescue area manager Dave Stapely said: ”The more coordinated we are the more effective our response will be. In Tayside there is a strong commitment among all key responders to working together, and tried-and-tested procedures that direct our joint working.
”Today is about bringing organisations together and taking another opportunity to test our response procedures in practice.”
Councillor Ian Miller, chairman of the Community Planning Partnership and leader of Perth and Kinross Council, said: ”Every organisation here today is making our own individual plans for responding to winter this year.
”Where we serve the same communities, however, working together is key to delivering the most effective service we can which, is why exercises like this one are so valuable.”
Tayside Fire and Rescue’s Perth station manager Neil Kerr said: ”It is important that everyone prepares for bad weather or emergencies during the winter months.
”This can be preparing and protecting property from flooding, preventing the build-up of snow and ice on pathways and access routes and, not only in winter but at all times, people should developing a fire safety plan.”
Mr Kerr said snow should be tackled as soon as possible after it falls.
He said: ”It is easier to remove new snow and put down some salt or grit to melt and prevent further snow falls from lying.”
He also issued post-freeze advice to residents and businesses.
”At some point after freezing conditions there will be a thaw. This could mean burst pipes within homes and businesses which may cause extensive damage.
”To reduce the impact it is urged that householders and business owners find out the location of their stop valve in advance so that they can promptly turn the water supply off should a burst pipe occur. If a pipe has burst then contact a registered plumber.”
The event was opened by Chief Constable Justine Curran, who said: ”The breadth of experience and expertise that we bring together underlines how effective we can be for our communities when we work in partnership.”
The Ready for Winter? campaign provides information on steps everyone can take, in the home, the car and in the community, to be better prepared.
They include keeping a battery operated or wind-up radio handy, clearing ice or snow from paths, or looking out for neighbours who may help.
The Scottish Government has stressed the importance of individuals and communities in beating the impending big freeze.
The Ready for Winter? campaign is a national drive to ensure the country is not caught out in an expected third harsh winter in a row, offering severe weather advice and warning of the consequences of being under-prepared.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: ”No-one can say with any certainty what this winter might bring, but after the severe weather conditions we experienced in the past two years we have worked with all our partners in the public, private and voluntary sector to learn the lessons and improve and invest in our services so that we are in a position to hope for the best but prepare for the worst.”