Emergency planning privacy notice

Last updated: May 2026 

What this notice is about 

This privacy notice explains how we collect, usee and protect your personal information when carrying out its emergency planning duties. 

This includes preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies such as fires, floods, building evacuations, major incidents, civil contingencies events, and situations where residents may need additional help. 

You should also read our main privacy notice, which gives more details about your rights and how to contact us.  

What information we collect hold and use 

Depending on the situation and the services you receive, we may collect the following information: 

Personal information 

We may collect: 

• name 
• address and location information 
• date of birth 
• contact details, such as phone number or email 
• details of your household, including the number of children and any needs they may have 
• keyholder or emergency contact details 
• your property details, for example building height and smoke alarm  
• your housing situation, such as if you are in temporary accommodation. 

Special category (sensitive) information 

We only collect this information where it is needed to protect life or provide the right support during emergencies. This may include: 

• physical or mental health information, such as mobility needs, medical needs, or disability related requirements 
• information about the help you may need during an evacuation 
• other information about vulnerability indicators relevant that helps us plan for your safety, such as if you are receiving support from Adult Social Care or records of frequent hospital admissions. 

Where relevant, during emergency response 

We may collect: 

• site information at rest centres or evacuation points 
• information from partner organisations, such as the London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police Service, NHS or local health providers. 

We aim to use anonymised or minimised data wherever possible during risk assessment and planning. However, identifiable data may be required during an active incident to respond effectively and keep people safe. 

Where we get your information from  

We may get your information from: 

• you provide it to us directly 
• other council departments, such as Housing, Adult Social Care, Benefits 
• Emergency services, such as London Fire Brigade, Metropolitan Police Service, London Ambulance Service 
• NHS organisations or social care providers 
• Local Resilience Forum partners and Category 1 or 2 responders 
• data already held by the council for service provision, such as assisted collections, community alarm, housing records 
• during an emergency, such as lists of evacuees at rest centres. 

If you do not provide certain information, the council may not be able to fully support you in an emergency. 

How we use this information

We use your personal information to: 

• plan for emergencies, including risk assessment and preparedness 
• identify people or properties that may need extra help during an emergency 
• contact you if there is an emergency affecting your building, street or area 
• coordinate evacuations, welfare checks and emergency accommodation 
• share essential information with emergency services responding to an incident 
• support recovery, including follow-up welfare support 
• meet legal duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

We only use the minimum data to keep people safe and respond to an emergency. 

Our legal reasons for processing (using) your data 

Under UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR), the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA 2018) and the Data Use and Access Act 2025 (DUAA 2025) we use your data because:  

• it is in your vital interest (to protect your life or safety) 
• we are doing something in the public interest or as part of our official duties (public task). 

For special category data (Article 9 UK GDPR): 

• 9(2)(g) Substantial public interest, supported by DPA 2018 Schedule 1, Part 2, para 6 (statutory and government purposes)
•  9(2)(c) Vital interests, where the individual is unable to provide consent. 

Other laws that apply to our services 

• Building Safety Act 2022 
• Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 
• Civil Contingencies Act 2004 

Who we share your information with

We may share your information with: 

• other departments in the council 
• London Fire Brigade 
• Metropolitan Police Service 
• London Ambulance Service 
• NHS bodies and local GP practices 
• voluntary sector partners supporting emergency responses 
• Local Resilience Forum partners 
• utility providers, where required for safety or emergency response. 

We will only share information when strictly necessary to protect life or to respond effectively in an emergency. 

How we store your data 

Your information is stored securely on Islington Council systems with appropriate technical and organisational protection. 

Access is restricted to staff who need it for emergency planning or response. 

If information is collected at rest centres or during an emergency, we transfer it securely into council systems and paper records are disposed of securely. 

To find out how long we keep your information, data check our main privacy notice and retention schedule. 

Your individual rights 

You have rights over your personal data. For more details see our main privacy notice and the page about your individual rights.  

Complaints 

If you are unhappy with how we use your data please see the council’s main privacy notice to find out how to make a complaint.