The information on 'preparing for emergencies' (from the Direct.gov website) is contained in a booklet, which you may have received through your door a few years ago. If you would like to download a copy of the booklet, please choose one of the links below.

Preparing for Emergencies Booklet

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Information on the following can be found below:

• Home Emergency Plans
• Emergency Packs
• Pandemic Influenza
• Flooding / Severe Weather
• Power Cuts - Loss of Electricity, Gas or Water
• Damage to Property and Possessions
• Chemical Incidents involving Toxic Fumes & Smoke
• Emergency Evacuation
• Rail & Air Crashes
• TV & Radio
• Bluetongue
• Temporary loss of Water Supply

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Home Emergency Plans

There are many things that individuals, families or shared households can do to prepare for an emergency. 

Click here for information, advice and guidance.  

To prepare a Household Emergency Plan you can fill in the template produced by the Civil Contingencies Unit. 

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Emergency Packs 

Prepare an 'Emergency Pack', a collection of items you may need in an emergency. 

It will need to be easily found by all family members and should be checked on a regular basis.  A backpack or a small suitcase with wheels is suitable. 

This should include:

• Waterproof back pack
• Wind up torch, possibly with radio and mobile phone charger integrated
• Foil blankets - 1 per person
• Whistle
• Water purification tablets
• Alcohol hand gel
• Battery / wind up mobile phone charger if not included in torch
• Rubber gloves - 1 pair per person
• Box waterproof matches
• Waterproof candles
• Disposable camera for insurance purposes
• Waterproof documents wallet for insurance documents and other important documents
• Permanent marker pen
• Bivi bags (temporary sleeping bags) - 1 per person
• First aid kit
• Toiletry bag containing:       
• Toothbrushes - 1 per person
• 1 x toothpaste
• 1 x soap
• 1 x flannel
• 1 x comb
• Tissues

If possible also include:

• Warm clothes for each family member
• Non-perishable / long-life food
• Water
• Mobile phone
• Prescribed medical supplies, anti-diarrhoea medication, medicines for fever (such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
• Important documents including phone numbers for council, insurance company and Floodline (0845 988188)
• Batteries
• Manual can opener
• Bin bags
• Toilet rolls and disposable nappies if necessary

Ensure any perishable items such as food, water, etc, are replaced on a regular basis.

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A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity, and for which there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily from person to person, causing serious illness...

For more information, advice and guidance visit: http://www.dh.gov.uk/PandemicFlu/fs/en

Summary of the Staffordshire Flu Pandemic Plan.

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At risk of flooding?

Take a look at the Environment Agency's flood map or do your own postcode search to find out how you might be affected.

For information on preparing your property for flooding click here.

For information on using sandbags click here.

For advice if there is a risk of flooding in your area click here. 

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Heatwave

Keep out of the Heat

• If a heatwave is forecast, try and plan your day in a way that allows you to stay out of the heat.
• If you can, avoid going out in the hottest part of the day (11am - 3pm).
• If you can't, avoid strenuous outdoor activity such as: sport, DIY, gardening, keep it for cooler parts of the day like early morning or evening.
• If you must go out, stay in the shade.  Wear a hat and loose fitting clothes, preferably cotton.
• If you will be outside for sometime, take plenty of water with you.

Stay Cool

• A loose, cotton, damp cloth or scarf on the back of your neck or spraying or splashing your face and the back of your neck with cold water several times a day can help keep you cool.
• Stay inside in the coolest rooms in your home, as much as possible.
• Reduce the heat from sunlight coming through the windows.  External shading e.g.. shutters is best.  Metal blinds and darks curtains may absorb heat and make the room warmer - it is best to use  pale curtains or reflective material.
• Keep windows closed while the room is cooler than it is outside.  Open them when the temperature inside rises, and at night for ventilation.
• If you are worried about security, at least open windows on the first floor and above.
• Indoor and outdoor plants will help keep your home cool due to evaporation and the shading from trees and bushes.
• Take cool showers or baths.

Drink Regularly

• Drink regularly even if you do not feel thirsty - water or fruit juice are best.
• Try to avoid alcohol, tea and coffee as they make dehydration worse.
• Eat as you normally would.  Try to eat more cold food, particularly salads and fruit, which contain water.

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If a Severe Storm Is threatened

• Tie down loose items outside that cannot be brought in.
• Stay indoors, preferably downstairs and keep pets in.
• Clear windowsills and close curtains to protect against flying glass.
• If gas, electricity or water is cut off, tell the relevant service.
• As soon as it is safe, rope off or protect damaged areas to prevent injury from falling masonry, broken glass or electric cables. 

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Power Cuts - Loss of Electricity, Gas or Water

Severe weather can mean power cuts and possibly loss of other services over a wide area.

Keep a small emergency pack and know where to find it - even in the dark!

The pack should include a torch, radio (with batteries), candles and matches.  Be aware of fire risks if you have to use the candles and matches. 

You may need to switch off supplies at the main - if you do not know how to check with gas, electricity and water authorities now. 

If you need the Police, Fire or Ambulance Services, dial 999 and give the operator your number so that you can be traced in the event that the line is cut.   

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Damage to Property & Possessions

Accidents, storms or flooding can leave a trail of destruction in their wake.  Proper insurance cover for property and possessions can ease much of the distress. 

• Insurance can cover the cost of building repairs and replacement of household contents as new - you can insure against a wide range of risks including "Acts of Gods". 
• Housing Associations will repair the buildings they own, but tenants should check whether they need to insure their personal possessions themselves. 
• Tenants should know who to contact for emergency repairs. 
• People with leasehold or privately rented homes should check agreements for property repairs with the landlord or agent. 
• If you need to arrange repairs, stick to established firms with good reputations. 
• If you cannot find anyone suitable, ask a recognised trade association for advice. 
• Decide now which firms you would use in an emergency and make a note of their number with details of your insurance on the contact sheet. 

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Chemical Accidents Involving Toxic Fumes & Smoke

If you live close to a chemical site, you will regularly receive information from industries in your area reminding you to: 

The following advice summarises and reinforces that information: 

• If you hear a warning siren or radio announcement, go into a house or building straight away.
• Close all external doors, turn off all ventilation and central heating systems.
• Close all windows and curtains.
• Stay in a room away from the industrial area, preferably upstairs. 
• Tune into your local radio station to receive information and instructions. 
• Do not ring the Emergency Services, unless you have a medical emergency, as their phone lines need to be kept clear. 
• General medical advice can be sought from NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
• Stay indoors until you hear the clear message (either on the radio or via a long single blast of siren) or your receive instructions from the Emergency Services. 
• On receiving the all clear, doors and windows can then be opened and ventilation restored. 

Please co-operate with any instructions given by the Emergency Services.

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Emergency Evacuation

If the Police ask you to leave your home, please do not argue. 

Their responsibility is your safety and they would not ask you to leave if it was not vital.

They will probably ask you to go to a reception centre.  If you decide to go anywhere else, for example to relatives, let someone know, so you can be accounted for.

Do not worry if you are sick, frail or disabled, special arrangements will be made for you. 

If you have elderly or disabled neighbours, check that they are all right or inform the Emergency Services that they require assistance. 

If there is time, take along any medicines, warm clothes, any special foods, personal documents, immediate valuables and baskets and leads for pets. 

Before you leave, make sure fires are out, switch off gas and electricity and lock up. 

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Rail & Air Crashes

If you are first on the scene, raise the alarm, dial 999 and inform the Emergency Services. 

Unless you are directly involved, keep well away from the scene.

Do not drive to the scene for sight-seeing.   

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TV and Radio

If there is an emergency, information will probably be given on local TV and radio stations.  Listen out for news, information and instructions on what is happening and what to do.  Remember staying indoors, with doors and windows closed and air conditioning turned off, will often be the safest place. 

Staffordshire residents receive regional television broadcasts from the BBC in the Midlands and ITV Central, both of which run regular news bulletins throughout the day and have 30 minute news programmes in the early evenings.   

Local radio stations include:

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Defra Bluetongue Guidance (England)

Bluetongue disease affects all ruminants. Animals such as pigs, horses (and humans) are unaffected. Unlike Foot & Mouth Disease, the Bluetongue virus is not directly transmitted between animals, but is spread by a small number of species of biting midges.

For further information about Bluetongue, click here to view the DEFRA website.

Bluetongue disease controls aim to minimise spread from notified outbreaks by putting in place movement controls over a large area around the infected premises. The vector-borne nature of the disease (and hence a widespread distribution of vectors) ensures that the risk of disease spread can only be mitigated against to a limited degree.  Given Bluetongue isn't spread directly from animal to animal, Bluetongue controls concentrate on zones not premises and compulsory slaughter of ruminants infected with bluetongue would not normally form part of the control strategy once its in circulation in vectors. The precautions taken to limit the impact of Bluetongue disease in the UK are outlined in the UK Bluetongue Control Strategy.  Please click here to view those.

Compliance with such movement controls is essential to help control Bluetongue and illegal animal movements should be dealt with according to the enforcement guidance detailed below and Home Office Enforcement Concordat.

Notes:

(i) 'Animal' is defined as a ruminating animal.

(ii) Pigs and horses are not susceptible to Bluetongue and BT controls do not therefore apply.

Further information:

For further details please refer to:                                                              

DEFRA Bluetongue Guidance: 

• The Bluetongue (England) Order 2003: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2003/20030130.htm.
• The Bluetongue (Amendment) (No. 2) (England) Order 2007:  http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/20072808.htm.

Blue Tongue Zones

The zones imposed to control Bluetongue are:

Control Zone: the innermost zone around the infected premises aimed at containing circulating disease. Animals can be moved into and within the zone but are restricted from moving outside of this zone. Animals can only exit the Control Zone for moves direct to slaughter in the PZ.

Please refer to licences available on the Defra website for latest information (licences allowing movement out of zones are likely to be for slaughter purposes only): http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/movements/index.htm.

(Information correct as of 18 February 2009 please refer to website for updates). 

Protection Zone (PZ): the PZ extends 150km from the infected premises and animals can be moved within the PZ. Animals are restricted from exiting the PZ to the 'free-area', If animals move into the CZ, movements back into the PZ are prohibited except under licence to allow moves for slaughter in the PZ.

Bluetongue advice has been integrated with the Foot and Mouth Disease pages and please refer to the link below to access information for areas within Bluetongue and Foot and Mouth Disease control zones: http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/fmd/movements/index.htm

Note:

Please refer to the DEFRA weblink above for further information about zones, declarations and movement controls. 

The General licences apply to England only, for licences that apply to Scotland and Wales please see the Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly Government websites, links to which are available on DEFRA website mentioned above.

Enforcement Guidance

Compliance with the disease control measures is essential and local authorities enforce the Bluetongue (England) Order 2003 (as amended) (ie, The Bluetongue (Amendment)(No. 2)(England) Order 2007: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2007/20072808.htm. 

Detection of non-compliance will require local authorities to take appropriate action, given the Enforcement Concordat principles and local enforcement policy.  Since confirmation of the Bluetongue outbreak, movement restrictions have been in place since 29 September 2007, and any cases of illegal moves may justify enforcement action as by now animal keepers should by now be aware of such restrictions.

Moves to markets, other premises, etc.

If illegal movement of animals from the Bluetongue PZ to other premises outside the PZ is detected, the animals should be returned directly to the premises of origin as soon as possible. Consideration may be given to appropriate vector mitigation measures if appropriate (please refer to guidance on the disease vector and potential mitigation measures at: http:///www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/bluetongue/pdf/guidance-vector.pdf. 

Moves to Slaughterhouses

If animals are moved illegally outside of the Bluetongue PZ to a slaughterhouse, the illegally moved animals should be slaughtered on-site as soon as possible.

General Licences may be published to allow movement out of the Bluetongue Protection Zone for slaughter at a slaughterhouse, and these will be subject to conditions, including the timing of the journey and arrival at the slaughterhouse. 

The same rules apply in terms of the slaughter of animals quickly if they arrive at a slaughterhouse in breach of licence conditions.  However, any person moving animals under the terms of such licences is required to time their journey appropriately, notwithstanding traffic accidents/unforeseen delays etc. 

A person moving animals under such a licence should not continue out of the PZ if they are delayed on their way to the PZ boundary - ie, if they are delayed within the PZ, such that they cannot make it to the slaughterhouse in time, they should turn back before leaving the PZ.

In any event, full details should be reported to the local Animal Health Office.

MHS Involvement

MHS staff should note that no specific Bluetongue controls relate to the movement of meat, meat products, etc, and normal rules apply.  However any non-compliance with movement rules and / or the conditions of approval at slaughterhouses should be reported to local authorities.

The situation will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis involving Industry stakeholders, and additional guidance will be provided as needed.

Temporary Loss of Water Supply

Please click here to read advice provided by Severn Trent Water on disruption of water supply.

For more information on advice to the public please visit the Preparing for Emergencies website.

To visit the Informed.Prepared.Together Website click here.