Voluntary Organisations

Berkshire Emergency Support Group (ESOG)

During an incident, the emergency services are able to contact the local authority to help contain the effects of an incident and subsequently to restore normality to the environment and community. In turn the local authorities may call upon the local voluntary organisations to assist in the response.

To co-ordinate this response Berkshire ‘ESOG’ meet to discuss plans and how they may be able to support the local community in an emergency.

Membership comprises of

• Thames Valley Police (also representing Berkshire religious groups)
• South Central Ambulance Service
• Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue
• Berkshire Local Authorities
• British Red Cross
• Hampshire and Berkshire 4 x 4 Response
• RAYNET – Radio Amateurs Emergency Network
• RSPCA – Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• WRVS – Womens Royal Voluntary service
• SEBEV – South East Berkshire Emergency Volunteers
• St John Ambulance

ESOG’s policy document sets out to establish what the voluntary organisations can offer in terms of staff, services, equipment and skills in the event of an incident in Berkshire, as well as outlining the necessary requirements to safely support the emergency response.

Details of how to contact the voluntary groups are listed below.