New web site to improve collaboration during civil emergencies

The extranet will help during emergencies such as floods

The government is to set up a secure web site to improve information sharing during civil emergencies.

The UK Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat and the Department of Communities and Local Government have commissioned BT to develop the National Resilience Extranet (NRE).

The site will provide more than 1,000 organisations, such as fire and rescue services, utilities and strategic health authorities, with secure, internet-based collaboration technology, allowing them to better respond to civil emergencies by sharing information and communication online.

NRE will also offer emergency information management and geographical information systems.

The site is being developed following major emergencies such as the 2007 floods and the foot and mouth outbreak, and is due to go live next year.

"The extranet will help the resilience community to plan for and manage emergencies in a more joined-up and consistent way," said Bruce Mann, head of the Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat.