Your questions answered
Can I look at the plans?
Yes. You can view or download the full version or outline of the
Emergency Plan in PDF format.
We also have a large-print version of our booklet: 'An Outline
of Emergency Planning in Kent' which you can request by contacting
us.
Can I offer help?
Many voluntary bodies have properly trained and uniformed
volunteers who can assist the emergency services during an
emergency. These organisations include Women's Institute, St. John
Ambulance, British Red Cross Society, Salvation Army and Raynet
(the radio amateurs' emergency network). You may wish to join such
an organisation and offer to be trained in preparedness for a major
incident - but during an actual emergency it is no longer possible
for untrained individuals to offer to help, because of insurance
and liability issues. The best way citizens can assist during a
crisis is to keep out of the way where possible and to cooperate
promptly with any instructions given by the emergency services.
How will I know what is happening during an emergency?
Newspapers, television and radio stations will start to report a
major emergency almost as soon as it happens and will receive
regular updates from the team coordinating the response to the
crisis.
Where appropriate, special phone numbers for additional
information or help will be advertised in the media but you should
use these only if you need to, in order to prevent overloading the
telephone system.
What happens if the incident means I cannot get to or stay in
my home?
We have designated several accessible and suitably equipped
public buildings in Kent which can serve as emergency shelters for
people displaced from their homes.
Each would be staffed by a mixed team of people to provide a
range of support services to help you stay as comfortable as
possible until you could return home or go to other temporary
lodgings.
Information on where to find the shelters would be provided by
local media, by the police and by other members of the emergency
response teams in the area involved.