Senior Civil Emergency Planning Committee (SCEPC)

The SCEPC coordinates planning in several areas, to ensure – when necessary - civil support for the Alliance ’s military operations or military support for national authorities in civil emergencies.

The committee has for example developed a plan for improving the civil preparedness of NATO and Partner countries against terrorist attacks, and advised on NATO’s reponse to Hurricane Kathrina that struck the United States in 2005.

What are its authority, tasks, and responsibilities?

The SCEPC reports directly to the North Atlantic Council, NATO’s principal decision-making body. It coordinates and provides direction and guidance for eight specialised planning boards and committees.

These bring together national government, industry experts and military representatives to coordinate emergency planning in areas such as: civil aviation; civil protection; food and agriculture; industrial production and supply; inland surface transport; medical matters; ocean shipping; civil aviation; civil electronic and postal communications.

Their primary purpose is to develop procedures for use in crisis situation.

The SCEP also oversees the activities of the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC) at NATO Headquarters, which acts as the focal point for coordinating disaster relief efforts among NATO and partner countries.

Who participates?

All NATO member countries are represented on the SCEPC, and some meetings are also open to NATO's Partner countries.

How does it work in practice?

The SCEPC meets at least twice a year in plenary session, at the level of the heads of the national civil emergency planning organisations from NATO and partner countries.

In addition, it meets biweekly in permanent session, where countries are represented by their national delegations to NATO. Meetings alternate between those of NATO member countries only, and those open to Partner countries.

The Secretary General is Chairman of plenary sessions, but in practice these are chaired by the NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations, while permanent sessions are chaired by the NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Planning, Civil Emergency Planning and Exercises.

How did it evolve?

The Senior Civil Emergency Planning Committee was created when NATO first developed its Civil Emergency Planning programme in 1994.

What do I need to remember?

• The Senior Civil Emergency Planning Committee is the key player in all Civil Emergency Planning done at NATO
• The SCEPC reports directly to the North Atlantic Council
• The SCEPC meets at least twice a year in plenary session and eight times a year in permanent session