Preparing for Major Emergencies
Disaster often strikes quickly and without warning. It can force
you to evacuate your neighbourhood or confine you to your home.
The likelihood of you and your family surviving a house fire
depends as much on having a working smoke detector and an exit plan
as on a well-trained Fire and Rescue Service.
The same is true for surviving any other disaster.
No matter how well the statutory agencies plan their responses
to potential disasters, to ensure the safety of your home and
well-being of you and your family, you should prepare now to meet
your own basic needs for at least the first 72 hours following a
major disaster.
We are planning for potential disasters – Are You?
We all hope that a major emergency never happens here.
However if it does there is some simple advice that, if you follow,
you could minimize the impact it has on you, your family and your
home.
Make a Plan
- A family emergency plan will help you and your family know what
to do in case of an emergency.
Flooding
Find out if you live in a
flood risk area. If you do make your own plans to protect your
property and valuable possessions. DON’T TAKE RISKS. The Emergency
Services and Local Authority may not be able to protect your
property for you. They may be fully committed to lifesaving and
protecting essential services.
Family communication plan
ICE (In Care of Emergency) Enter ICE in your mobile contact list
with the name of the person you want the emergency services to call
on your behalf in case of emergency.
Plan how to stay in contact during an emergency. Perhaps
everyone could call/e-mail or, if safe to do so, go to a designated
friend or relative elsewhere.
Go in, Stay in, Tune in
- The Go in, Stay in, Tune in advice is recognised and used
around the world. It is the best general advice for people caught
up in most emergencies.
- Monitor local broadcasts for the latest information or
advice.
- Follow advice/instructions given by any Emergency Services
personnel on the ground.
- Continue to monitor the situation outside and your own
particular circumstances.
Safe exits from home and neighbourhood
- Identify alternative exits from your home. Ensure these
are available at all times.
- Follow evacuation route advice provided by the emergency
services.
Evacuation
- Remember mobile communication may be difficult or
unavailable.
- Leave a note in your home informing people where you have gone
and when you left.
- Pre-indentify a meetinging places to reunite with
family/friends.
- Shut off gas and electricity before leaving the premises.
Secure windows and lock doors.
Children and Vulnerable Adults
Find out what plans the school/daycare centre have to respond to
an emergency.
- Where would they evacuate to?
- Are they prepared to shelter in the school?
Your plan should designate a person to pick up children should
you be unavailable. Confirm these arrangements with the
school/daycare centre.
Health information
The plan should list the names and contact
details of your GP, Community Nurse and other healthcare
professionals you have contact with on a regular basis.
- Have a list of any prescription medication
that family members are taking.
- List any cronic illnesses/disabilities of
family members.
Pets
The plan should make arrangements for the care of pets.
This might include identifying “pet-friendly” hotels and kennels in
your area.
Useful websites
Useful 24/7 telephone numbers
- Dover District Council: 01304 821199
- Kent County Council: 08458 247 247
- Environment Agency Floodline: 0845 988 1188
- Gas Emergency: 0800 111 999
- Electricity Emergency: 0800 783 8866
- Southern Water: 0845 278 0845
- Folkestone & Dover Water: 0845 888 5888
- NHS Direct: 0845 46 47
Make a Kit
Just like having a first aid kit in your home/car, having an
emergency kit will put the tools you need at your fingertips.
Think of ways that you can pack your emergency kit so that you and
those on your emergency plan can easily take the items with you,
such as a rucksack.
- List – Make a list of all the items to go in
your emergency kit and where they are located. Keep this list where
it can be easily found. Keep your list up to date.
- Water – Two litres of water per person per day
(Include small bottles that can be carried easily in case you are
evacuated)
- Food – High energy foods that won’t
spoil, such cereal bars, chocolate and dried fruits, special dietry
foods (remember, if you stockpile food items, rotate them or
replace them once a year).
- Mobile phone, batteries and charger
- Utility pocket knife and/or manual can
opener
- Flashlight (and batteries) or wind-up
- Battery–powered or wind–up radio (and
extra batteries)
- Basic first aid kit
- Special needs items – prescription medication,
infant formula or special equipment for people with disabilities
(Nebuliser, oxygen, mobility aids), allergy medication
- Extra keys – for your car and
house
- Money –lower denomination notes, credit/debit
cards and change for payphones
- Personal Information (can be kept electronically)
- contact details of insurers and policy numbers
(House, Contents, Vehicle); Landlord; means of identification
(passport, driver’s licence, National Insurance number); bank
account details; Doctors – Name, Surgery Telephone Number; Vets –
Name, Surgery Telephone Number; Kennel/Cattery etc. – Name,
Telephone Number
- Whistle – in case you need to attract
attention
- Emergency Plan include a copy in your kit and
ensure it contains all your contact information
The basic emergency kit will help you get through the first 72
hours of an emergency.
A PDF version of this advice can be found by following this
link: Emergency
planning leaflet
Further Information
Contact
Tel: 01304 821199
Email: customerservices@dover.gov.uk
