Emergencies

Major Emergency Incidents

As a local authority it is the Council's role to support the emergency services in the case of a major incident.  The Borough Council has specific duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004:

• Co-operation and information-sharing
• Risk asessment
• Emergency panning
• Warning and informing the public
• Business continuity planning
• Promotion of business continuity in the community

What to do in an Emergency

Go In, Stay In, Tune In

In the case of most major emergencies, the simple advice to follow is go inside, stay inside, and tune into local radio. By visiting the radio station’s website you will be able to hear real-time radio through your PC. It may also be wise to have battery back-up for your usual radio in case of loss of power.

• BBC Three Counties 103.8fm
• Heart, Hertfordshire 96.6fm

Sources of Further Information

Information and guidance on emergency situations is available from the organisations below:

Emergency planning websites:

• Hertfordshire County Council emergency information
• HM Government Preparing for Emergencies
  The site provides easily understandable guidance for the general public on how to prepare themselves, their families and their homes and businesses to cope during an emergency or disaster.
• UK Resilience
  The UK Resilience website is run as a news and information service for emergency practitioners by the Civil Contingencies Secretariat at The Cabinet Office.

Health-related websites:

• Fire Safety
  Government fire safety site on how to protect your home and family. Also has special sections for kids and teachers.
• NHS Direct
  NHS Direct staff can also provide information on a wide range of healthcare topics – from helping you to find out more about diagnosed conditions and treatments to giving details of local health services
• Flu Guidance
  Information and latest news from the Department of Health on both avian and pandemic flu.

Emergency services websites:

• Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue 
• Hertfordshire Constabulary
• East of England Ambulance Service 

Voluntary Agency websites:

• British Red Cross
  Part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies.
• Raynet
  The Radio Amateurs’ Emergency Network is the UK’s national voluntary communications service provided for the community by licensed radio amateurs.
• Salvation Army
  Charity with programmes including homeless centres, drug rehabilitation centres, schools, hospitals and medical centres, as well as nearly 16,000 church and community centres.
• Samaritans
  Samaritans is available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide.
• St John Ambulance
  First Aid, care and transport charity.
• Victim Support
  Trained volunteers based in local Schemes contact people following a crime to offer free, confidential support and information.
• WRVS
  The WRVS gives professional support to the blue-light services and the public in emergency situations.