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1. The Fire Service and Emergency Planning Division of the Scottish Executive Justice Department continued to provide grant support to police forces for the purposes of integrated emergency management planning, training and exercising. In addition, it continued to fund the 2 staff officer posts to the now de-designated Zone Police Commanders. These were formerly the Chief Constables of Grampian (North Zone, covering Northern, Grampian, Tayside, Fife and Central Scotland police forces) and Strathclyde (South Zone, covering Strathclyde, Lothian and Borders and Dumfries and Galloway forces) who held specific civil defence responsibilities which are no longer applicable. The responsibilities of the two staff officers (Superintendents) include development of central training and representing Scottish interests on the Home Office Liaison Group, which covers planning for times of tension, crisis and war. They also undertake military liaison for all matters other than terrorist incidents.
2. In March 1999 the first of a re-styled input for First Line Managers (Sergeants) was held at the Scottish Police College, Tulliallan. These courses are run by the Emergency Planning Officers from the 8 forces and are structured on similar lines to the Chief Inspectors' Courses which are facilitated by the North and South Liaison Officers. Both courses receive input from other Blue Light Services, and the local authorities with the Chief Inspectors receiving additional inputs from the Scottish Executive, the Fiscal's Office and a pathologist. The Civil Emergency Major Incident Training Courses (CEMIT) continue to form an integral part of the Newly Promoted Inspectors Courses which are also held at the Scottish Police College. Responsibility for running these 2-day courses rests with the North and South Liaison Officers and 7 CEMIT Modules were held in 1998-99. The programme of one-day seminars for Superintendents commenced in December 1998 with inputs on Strategic Decision Making, Major Event Planning and Civil Litigation.
3. In January, February and March 1999 the Scottish Executive Justice Department sponsored an eighth series of general emergency courses for local authorities and emergency services etc. Eight police personnel participated in these as tutors/speakers with a further 7 officers taking part as students.
4. Police personnel also participated in many local exercises in Scotland, held under the auspices of local authorities. The police emergency planning officers were also involved in organising numerous exercises for the 8 police authorities.
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