MINISTERIAL FOREWORD

Resilience is everyone’s business. Individuals, communities, emergency services and the wider public sector including Scottish Government, as well as voluntary organisations and businesses all have their part to play in making Scotland safe and secure.

I am proud to be part of a Scottish Government that has overseen world class responses to various challenges and emergencies since 2007.  However, there is no room for complacency.  We continue to face many hazards and threats, from the vagaries of the Scottish weather, to disruptions arising from volcanoes or energy supply issues, and the ever present danger posed by terrorism.  There is no cause for alarm in Scotland, but we need to remain alert and recognise the importance of anticipating and assessing the risks we face.  Wherever possible taking appropriate preventative action, as well as planning for co-ordinated activity to manage and recover from emergencies when they do occur.

This revised Preparing Scotland guidance sets out the philosophy, principles and practices that act as the building blocks for resilience.  It is based on the experience and expertise of the resilience community within Scotland.  Resilience professionals will be the main readership of this guidance and, with the support of the Scottish Government, they are key to effective co-ordination of the five key activities of Integrated Emergency Management, namely assessment, prevention, preparation, response and recovery.

It is vital, however, that we all see Scotland's resilience as our responsibility to support the safety and well-being of our neighbours and communities across the country, from those in remote and rural locations to those in our towns and cities. This message, that resilience is everyone's business, needs to be echoed across Scotland and I would urge you all to take this message forward.

John Swinney

Deputy First Minister with responsibility for Resilience

June 2016