Civil Contingencies Act 2004 (2004, Chapter 36).

This Act makes provision for contingency planning. and civil protection measures. It sets out emergency powers of the executive and provides for coordination between the various parts of the United Kingdom and the appointment of Regional and Emergency Coordinators. An "emergency" means— (a) an event or situation which threatens serious damage to human welfare in a place in the United Kingdom, (b) an event or situation which threatens serious damage to the environment of a place in the United Kingdom, or (c) war, or terrorism, which threatens serious damage to the security of the United Kingdom. an event or situation threatens damage to the environment only if it involves, causes or may cause— (a) contamination of land, water or air with biological, chemical or radio-active matter, or (b) disruption or destruction of plant life or animal life. The Act lists "responders" for purposes of contingency planning and defines duties of such public bodies.