About us

What is a Virtual Operations Support Team?

Social media has become an increasingly important tool for governmental organisations to share information with the public. During an emergency it can be crucial that people in affected areas are able to obtain accurate information.  The Dumfries & Galloway Virtual Operations Support Team  (DGVOST) is a tool that can

• Gather and provide real time information to the public
• Distribute key safety messages during a major incident or emergency
• Counter misinformation
• Provide better situational awareness for incident commanders by gathering geo data, text, pictures, video, or a combination of these media from the public through an innovatively effective and efficient use of social media and other online tools.

Why do we need a Virtual Operations Support Team?

Part 1 of The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and supporting Regulations establish a clear set of roles and responsibilities for those involved in emergency preparation and response at the local level.

Organisations at the core of the response to most emergencies (the emergency services, local authorities, NHS bodies) are subject to the full set of civil protection duties. Amongst other functions, they are required to:

"put in place arrangements to make information available to the public about civil protection matters and maintain arrangements to warn, inform and advise the public in the event of an emergency" - Civil Contingencies Act 2004

The DGVOST is designed to provide the public with increased situational awareness about ongoing major incidents allowing them to take proactive steps to keep themselves safe.

Activation of the DGVOST

The DGVOST will be activated by an official process and in accordance with the instructions of Police Scotland or Dumfries and Galloway Council. The VOST team members will not self-deploy but may make preparations in anticipation of deployment.