We make preparations to assist the emergency services to
cope with major disaster and to support the community within North
Somerset.
Emergency closures and information
If we have to close facilities or roads in North Somerset
because of severe weather or an emergency situation, we will post
details online and on our Facebook and Twitter profiles.
Severnside sirens
The sirens sound warnings to areas potentially at risk from
incidents at chemical sites in and around Avonmouth. During an
incident their alert warning will be sounded with only those
necessary to alert those at risk activated. If you hear the sirens:
go in, stay in and tune in to your local TV and radio stations and
follow the instructions of the emergency services. When it is safe
the Severnside Sirens all clear message will be sounded. The sirens
are tested on the third day of each month at 3pm. The audible test
is made up of a three-minute alert warning, one-minute silence
followed by a one-minute all clear signal.
Emergency planning resources
We have developed a number of emergency planning resources that
you can download to help you prepare your business, school or
organisation or parish for dealing with an emergency.
Business continuity
If you run a business it makes good commercial sense identify
threats to your business and take steps to reduce them to plan how
you would continue to provide a service in an emergency.
Undertaking this process will help you: identify the impact of
potential losses; formulate and implement viable recovery
strategies; develop plans to ensure continuity and recovery of
organisational services in the event of an incident; administer a
comprehensive training, exercise and maintenance
programme.
Taking these steps now could reduce the impact of an emergency
incident on your business, minimise potential disruption and save
you money. Statutory legislation places a legal duty on us to
develop and maintain these plans so we can deliver our services as
far as is reasonably practical during an emergency. You don’t have
to do this by law but it does make good business sense.
Emergency advice
The safest thing to do in a major emergency is to follow the
instructions of the emergency services. If in doubt, go in, stay in
and tune in to your local TV and radio stations. For more
information download our
major emergencies booklet (pdf, Feb 09,
200KB) which provides practical ideas and advice for coping with
an emergency event.
Evacuation
Any decision to evacuate an area is taken by the police, and if
an evacuation is necessary they will issue you with instructions
after consultation with other agencies. If you need help in an
evacuation you will be assisted by the emergency services or by us
and moved to a place of safety. If you are evacuated you
should take: change of warm clothing; toiletries; medicines;
special foods; important documents and useful telephone numbers;
baskets, cages and leads for pets. On arrival at a temporary
shelter please tell staff of any special requirements you may need
and arrangements will be made.
Working together to respond to emergencies
We are part of the Avon and Somrset Local Resilience
Forum and work with partner organisations in the area to
prepare for emergencies. For more information visit
the Avon and Somerset
Local Resilience Forum website.
Major emergency contacts
View a list of other agencies that may be able to offer you help
and advice.
For more informaiton contact our
emergency
management team.
