NO special plans are being formulated in Herefordshire in the face of a war with Iraq.

But the county is tightening up its procedures in dealing with emergencies of all kinds.

Not so long ago these mostly revolved round accident, fire and flood.

But September 11 changed all that with the new threat of terrorist activities and added fears of toxic and bacterial warfare.

Imminent confrontation with Iraq does hold the headlines and six ambulance paramedics in Herefordshire are on standby to join up - a seventh has already gone.

Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade has been forced to review its schedules and introduce the drills and skills of decontamination training for staff and public alike.

"We have spent round £100,000 in training and increasing our capabilities and are getting up to scratch,'' said spokesman Alec Mackie.

But for Geoff Haskell, chief emergency planning manager in Herefordshire preparing for the unexpected day and night is a routine job.

In a nutshell his main task is to provide public protection for the people of Herefordshire.

He has to ensure that plans are always available to support all emergency services following any major incident.

Geoff has to arrange that centres are available to provide care and comfort for people evacuated from their homes or workplaces following flood or fire or any other incident at any time.

And he has to ensure that resources needed for all emergencies are available, ranging from sand bags to food and drink.

His job involves liaising and linking up with all emergency services such as police, fire and ambulance and health authorities.

Key role

Voluntary organisations play a key role in providing succour to the local population in times of trouble but they don't work in isolation and they have to be kept informed and involved in emergency exercises.

Geoff works with Herefordshire Council but his work is funded by the Government, which expects every county to develop its own management system to deal with emergencies needing constant updating and improvement.

His job is to co-ordinate public protection in Herefordshire and to be able to help out neighbouring counties if they need it.

In the past the plans have centred round dealing with road or rail accidents, fire and toxic smoke, serious flooding and bomb alerts.

But times are changing and those responsible for public protection are having to widen their horizons.

The Government has already warned of the new potential dangers of terrorists striking with biological or chemical attacks.

Geoff says if there is a war or not with Iraq Herefordshire is already tightening up its emergency planning and advises that without being alarmist 'we must be more vigilant as a nation'.

l LIBERAL Democrat MEP Liz Lynne is urging her constituents in Herefordshire to raise their concerns about the prospect of military action against Iraq by taking part in a protest later this month.

There will be a national demonstration held in London on February 15, jointly organised by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Muslim Association of Britain and the Stop the War Coalition.

A number of local organisations are organising coaches to drive people down to the demonstration in London. A list of ones in the West Midlands region is available by going to http://www.stopwar.org.uk/coach.asp or phoning 020 7053 2153/4/5/6.