Emergency preparedness

Emergencies can happen, so it is important to ensure you and your family are prepared.

For simple advice on how to better prepare and respond to emergencies, see the Staffordshire Prepared website.

In an emergency, it is important to:

• make sure 999 has been called if people are injured or if there is a threat to life

• not put yourself or others in danger

• follow the advice of the emergency services

• try to remain calm and think before acting, and try to reassure others

• check for injuries, remember to help yourself before helping others

Stay inside for as long as it is safe to do so. You can use this time to contact your family and friends and make sure they are safe and confirm that you are safe. Report anyone missing to the police.

Emergency responders may not immediately be able to provide information on what is happening and what you should do. Watch TV, listen to the radio or check the internet regularly for official news and instructions as they become available.

If you are asked by the emergency services to leave your home, please do so as this will be for your own safety. A rest centre will usually be set up.

A rest centre is a place of safety where you will be looked after and provided with your basic needs. It is set up and run by the local authorities, with the support of accredited volunteers from various agencies, it will provide you with shelter until you are able to return home or have temporary accommodation provided.

If an emergency happens in your community, it may take emergency responders some time to reach you. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours, this can be helped by creating a 'grab bag'.