The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of effective emergency planning and response. According to analysis by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, a year of Covid-19 lockdowns has cost the UK economy £251 bn. The UK has faced numerous threats and emergencies including flooding, major fire incidents, diseases and pandemics, terrorist attacks and severe weather. Since the publication of the 2017 National Risk Register, the UK has been challenged by many incidents including terrorist attacks in London Bridge and Streatham, the ‘Beast from the East’ winter storm, chemical weapons in Salisbury and serious flood incidents. On 17 February 2020, the Environment Agency issued 632 flood warnings and flood alerts: the highest one-day total since the system went live in 2005. Over the past 30 years, more than 30 new, or newly recognised, diseases have been identified.

This timely conference will deliver a comprehensive mix of high-level keynotes from senior bodies and practical case studies demonstrating how effective multi-agency working can achieve effective emergency planning and response.