Helping ourselves and each other

1. What happens if an evacuation is needed?
2. What should I do in an emergency?
3. Preparing for an emergency - what can I do?
4. How will I know what is happening during an Emergency?

1. What happens if an evacuation is needed?

Evacuation is often considered a last resort, depending on the incident you are often safer inside your home or place of work. When requested to evacuate follow the instructions given by the emergency services, they are for your safety. During and following an emergency, the Emergency Services may ask the affected Council to provide care and support to members of the public who have been evacuated from their homes and require temporary accommodation or to uninjured survivors of an incident. There you will be provided with appropriate refreshments, have your details taken and, dependant on the situation, temporary accomodation may be provided.

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2. What should I do in an emergency?

If it seems that the Emergency Services are not aware of what has happened dial 999 immediately, and follow the advice of the emergency services, however always remember to NEVER put yourself in danger.
Then provided it is safe to do so:
GO IN - In most situations you will be safer taking shelter inside a building.
STAY IN - Close all doors and windows and keep them closed, and do not go out until you are told it is safe to do so.
TUNE IN - Tune into the local TV or radio station where information and advice from the emergency services will be broadcast.

· BBC Radio Merseyside - 95.8 FM
· BBC Radio City - 96.7 FM
· Wire FM - 107.2 FM
· Century FM - 105.4 FM

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3. Preparing for an emergency - what can I do?

To prepare for an emergency, you should take time to find out:
· Where and how to turn off water, gas and electricty supplied in your home
· The emergency procedures for your children at school
· The emergency procedures at your workplace
· How your family will stay in contact in the event of an emergency
· If an elderly or vulnerable neighbour might need your help
· How to tune into your local radio station

If you are at home and an emergency happens, try to gather together:
· A list of useful phone numbers, such as your doctors and close relatives'
· Home and car keys
· Toiletries, sanitary supplies and any regular prescribed medication
· A battery radio, with spare batteries
· A torch with spare batteries
· A First Aid Kit
· Your mobile phone
· Cash and credit cards
· Spare clothes and blankets

Also, it is always useful to have:
· Bottled water, ready to eat food (eg. tinned food) and a bottle/tin opener, in case you have to remain in your home for several days.
In certain very unlikely situations, you may be asked to leave your home by the emergency services. If this happens, leave as quickly and calmly as possible. And, if you have time:
· Turn off electricty, gas and water supplies, unplug appliances and lock all doors and windows
· See the items listed above for what to take with you
· If you leave by car, take bottled water and blankets, and tune in to local radio for emergency advice and instructions.

When you are told that it is safe to return home, open windows to provde fresh air before reconnecting gas, electricty and water supplies.

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4. How will I know what is happening during an Emergency?

The newspapers, televisions and radio stations will report a major emergency almost as soon as it happens and they will receive regular updates. The media will advertise specific phone numbers for additional information or help, please don't call unless you need to, in order to prevent overloading the telephone system.

· BBC Radio Merseyside - 95.8 FM
· BBC Radio City - 96.7 FM
· Wire FM - 107.2 FM
· Century FM - 105.4 FM

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