Emergency Procedures
This section provides information on how we issue public
warnings and advice in the event of an emergency and
the basic instructions to remember if you are caught
in a major emergency. For further information see the
common sense advice on the Preparing
for Emergencies Website.
Public Warnings
Principles for Emergency Information
Public safety is our absolute priority in all decisions
about public information or warnings.
If a warning is ever necessary to protect public safety
in the face of a specific and credible threat, we will
issue one without hesitation, and we will provide any
further information that will help you respond effectively.
However, there is no such thing as a ‘standard’
terrorist threat or major incident, and therefore no
such thing as a standard response. Our response to any
incident, including chemical or biological incidents
– accidental or otherwise – would depend
on a number of factors – for example, what the
danger is, who is affected by it, and how best to contain
the incident. Trained personnel from the emergency services
are best placed to decide the appropriate response on
the ground.
To give detailed advice in advance about how to handle
every potential threat would be misleading and unhelpful.
Worse, it could lead to confusion in an actual incident
– the advice given for one type of situation might
be wrong in different circumstances.
We, and the emergency services, will provide immediate
information and advice in the event of a discernible
threat or a specific incident.
Emergency Broadcasting Systems
We have arrangements with the BBC and other broadcasters
to ensure that, in the event of any incident, we can
get the right information to those who need it, when
they need it.
This emergency broadcasting system allows us to provide
immediate information or warnings through the whole
range of radio, television and online services, including
Ceefax, Teletext and websites.
The Media Emergency Forum
The Media Emergency Forum is a group that was set up
in the mid-90s as a voluntary arrangement between the
media, government and the emergency services to develop
best practice in getting the right information to the
right people in an emergency. This work has included
developing protocols and high level contacts for use
in emergencies, planning for the millennium, and giving
feedback after major incidents.
Recent developments include a network of regional Media
Emergency Forums. These will bring together local news
media and local emergency services so that area-specific
information and advice can be quickly distributed in
an emergency.
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What to Do in a Major Emergency
Our advice is clear:
- If you are at the scene, follow the instructions
of the emergency services.
- If you are further away but think you may be affected,
GO IN, STAY IN, and TUNE IN. Go indoors and stay there.
The authorities will use local radio and TV to deliver
information and advice.
Preparing
for Emergencies Website
Common sense advice and information from the Preparing
for Emergencies leaflet.
UK
Resilience Website
Information aimed primarily at local authorities, emergency
planners and the general public.
The
Security Service website
More detailed information on the current threats
to national security and expert security advice for
businesses, organisations and anyone with responsibility
for the safety of others.
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