Foreword from British Red Cross Disaster can strike anywhere at any time. The British Red Cross is known for its work in international emergencies, but many people aren’t aware that the Red Cross responds to an emergency every four hours here in the UK. From domestic fires, to extreme weather and floods, to national emergencies including terror attacks – in 2017 our staff and volunteers responded to almost 1,500 incidents spanning the length and breadth of the UK. Last year we faced an unprecedented number 10,000 community reserve volunteers across of major emergencies. The Westminster attack, the UK by the end of 2019. Manchester bombing and London Bridge It’s quick and easy to sign up online and attack, closely followed by the Grenfell Tower community reserve volunteers will be fire and Finsbury Park attack, devastated contacted by text if there is an emergency families across the country and made 2017 in their community that they could help with. one of the most demanding years for the This national network of volunteers could British Red Cross since World War Two. help take the pressure off local emergency While these incidents brought tragedy to services, local authorities and British Red so many people, last year we also saw Cross emergency response teams by remarkable acts of kindness, as people and undertaking practical, behind-the-scenes businesses rallied to help in any way they tasks specific to each emergency – for could – some supporting their neighbours and example putting together food parcels, local communities, others travelling hundreds blowing up airbeds for rest centres and filling of miles to show solidarity. That strength of sandbags in times of flooding. community spirit is borne out in the research Through this initiative we can put individuals contained in this report. and their communities at the heart of Yet the findings of our research also highlight emergency response, and provide a more that many people don’t feel adequately connected and coordinated way for people to informed about the crises that could happen in show their kindness to those in crisis. their community and don’t know how to help when an emergency occurs. Worryingly, many Mike Adamson people also say they don’t feel confident their Chief Executive of the British Red Cross communities are prepared to cope with large- scale emergencies. When a crisis hits, people often turn up at the scene wanting to help in whatever way they can. To be as effective as possible in an emergency situation, preparation is key, and we want to harness the power of these kind intentions. d. That’s why the British Red Cross, in partnership with Aviva, is committed to strengthening local emergency resilience by creating a taskforce of Photo © Alex Rumfor 3