Emergencies

Advice to the public

Here you will find advice on things you can do to help yourself during an emergency, who will help you and where to get further advice.

If you are involved in an incident

Follow the advice of the emergency services.

If you are not involved, but believe you may be in danger

In most cases the advice is:

Go inside a safe building
Stay inside until you are advised to do otherwise
Tune in to local radio or television for more information

Of course, there are always going to be particular occasions when you should not go in to a building, for example if there is a fire. Otherwise Go In, Stay In, Tune In.

Preparing for Emergencies - What you need to know

Follow the advice in the government booklet on the Preparing for Emergencies website.

What can I do to help myself?

There are several things you can do now to help yourself in an emergency.

To make sure you can contact your family, keep up to date contact numbers, agree a place that you all know and would be able to get to if you cannot meet at your house. It is also a good idea to pack a bag with some essential items and keep it at home or in your car.

If you are asked to evacuate your home, use the list below to pick up some essential items which you will need if you cannot get back into your home. You will not be told how long you will be evacuated for, so be prepared.

List of useful phone numbers, such as your doctors and close relations
Home and car keys
Toiletries, sanitary supplies and any regularly prescribed medication
A battery radio and spare batteries
Torch or candle and matches
A first aid kit
Your mobile phone and charger
Cash and credit cards
Spare clothes and blankets
Bottled water

Turn off electricity, gas and water supplies, unplug appliances and lock all doors and windows.

What will happen if I am evacuated from my home?

If you are evacuated from your home due to an emergency the Council aims to respond within one hour of being informed by the emergency services.

We will help by opening and running an Emergency Rest Centre where you will be able to get refreshments, information and advice in a comfortable safe environment.

A rest centre will provide these services:

Shelter from the elements
A safe environment
Refreshments
Registration
First aid arrangements
Information

If necessary you will also be provided with full meals and sleeping arrangements, but this depends on how long you are evacuated for.

Going to stay with friends and family is generally a more comfortable option and we will provide a number for you to call so that you can find out what is happening and when you will be able to get back into your home.

What should I do if I think someone I know has been involved in an emergency?

If you believe a friend or relative has been involved in an emergency it is important that you do not travel to where the emergency is or go to any of the hospitals that could be taking casualties.

The police set up a special phone number that you can call and tell them what you know and why you think the person is involved. This will help the police identify people involved and decrease the amount of time you take to find out where they are.

Alternatively a Family and Friends Reception Centre might be set up, this is a place you can go to give information and receive information from the police.

Once you have given your details the police will be able to check the hospitals and their records to see if the person you are looking for has been involved in the emergency.

Advice for those who have acetylene cylinders

Information and advice for your safety and others on the proper storage of acetylene gas, what steps you should take and if there is a safer alternative for you to choose.

Contact

Roger Brett

Group Manager - Emergency Planning

Communications Centre

Town Hall

1 Town Square

Barking

IG11 7LU

Tel (Office): 020 8227 3119

Tel (24 hour): 020 8594 8356

Fax (Office): 020 8227 3296

Fax (24 hour): 020 8227 3470

Email: roger.brett@lbbd.gov.uk|