I joined the organisation in September 2002 as an admin assistant in Human Resources. I spent a year in this role which gave me the ability to learn about the organisation and its processes and procedures before joining the Operational Planning Dept as a Planning Support Officer for a temporary 12 month secondment.

My role within this dept consisted of planning and arranging the logistics and staff requirements for intelligence led operations. Over the 12 month secondment I assisted in planning over 12 force operations.

At the conclusion of my secondment I rejoined HR in the capacity of admin asst within the Recruitment Team. This entailed being responsible for recruiting police staff in the Safer Communities and Investigations Directorate. Even though I enjoyed Recruitment I had by this point decided that force planning was the way forward for me.

In December 2004, I applied for the post of Contingency Planning Officer and was successful in my application. A year down the road and I know I definitely made the right decision.

A typical day for me in my present role consists of:

08:30 Arrive at the office, log on and check any emails that have been sent through. Reply to any that are urgent and prepare for meeting at 9.30.

09:00 Travel to Kingfisher House at the Business Park for a Flu Pandemic Co-ordinators meeting.

09:30 Meeting commences and present are emergency planning officers for partner agencies such as Cambridgeshire's Fire and Rescue Service, East Anglian Ambulance Trust, Local Authorities, Health Protection Agency. Discussion regarding impacts of Pandemic Flu, triggers and activation of County and Regional Contingency plans for this event. Further details in relation to individual agency roles and responsibilities and confirmation of lead agency for command and control.

12:00 Meeting finishes and I drive to FHQ to meet with Press Office.

12.30 Update Press Office representative in relation to City Centre Evacuation Plan and how in a multi-agency capacity we would like to utilise the external press to cover the launch and exposure of the first ever City Centre Evacuation Plan Information map so as to ensure business and public awareness in the event of large scale evacuation.

13:00 Travel back to Office.

13:30 Lunch and catch up with emails. Also a quick team update regarding any issues that may have arisen.

14:00 Travel to Pboro for multi-agency meeting regarding major incident planning and review for Shopping Centre.

14:30 I’m chairing the meeting so am intent on a prompt start. Various issues discussed such as notification procedures in the event of a major incident/evacuation of public. Actions and agreements between agencies are decided.

17:00 Conclude meeting and finish for the day.

Additional Duties: I am also on Major Incident On-Call for the week.