We had a system known as Civil Defence, which could (and frequently did) coordinate disaster relief and provided just the joined up response using all available sources that was (is still) needed. Their remit was 'to take control' and provide all the things that appear to be lacking now, but equally they were almost all volunteers. The original reason for the formation was the threat of war but it was unfortunately disbanded in the late 60's (no doubt on cost grounds), but you only have to visit other countries to see the system in operation. Canada is well worth a mention where I saw it working first hand in the aftermath of a large forest fire just a few years ago; within a few hours of a call a disaster HQ was set up in school buildings, people knew where to go and get whatever assistance was required and the whole system worked together.
Here now we have no joined up coordination and on the survivors side no one really knows where to go or who to talk to, whilst those at the top seem to have little idea of what resources are needed because they have no experience.
It is very easy for political parties (of all persuasions) to cast stones at 'the other lot', and the blame game just causes more frustration and hurt for the survivors. Maybe we need something like CD back again - not necessarily in the strength of its heyday (some 330,00) but perhaps small teams who could be called out/called in at short notice with the expertise and authority to coordinate the response to large scale emergencies. Unfortunately Grenfell is probably not the last major disaster we will suffer, but it has shown the inadequacies of 'the system'.
Last edited by Shackman; 3rd Jul 2017 at 15:10.
Reason: speeling