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Emergency planning

The Council works closely with other agencies and organisations in developing effective contingency and response plans. The Council's Emergency Plan sets out the information procedures and details required to ensure an effective flexible and timely response to a major emergency.

Planning for an emergency is never easy because no-one can predict what might happen - a major road, train, air or river accident; a serious fire; violent storms; flooding or another dangerous incident. Whatever happens, it will almost certainly mean police, fire and ambulance services in the front line of a tough situation. Regardless of  the emergency, it is important that we all follow the instructions we receive from the police and other emergency services.

The Council's Emergency Plan

Recent events have illustrated how in an instant a disaster can alter our sense of personal and community safety. As there are a multitude of potential natural and social risks, major emergency events will inevitably occur.

To illustrate this further, between 1988 and April 1989 the following disasters occurred:

The Civil Contingencies Act, which came into force from April 2005, puts emergency planning on a much more statutory footing and the Council, as a Category 1 responder, now has specific requirements in relation to emergency planning, risk assessments, warning and informing the public, and business continuity.

The Council recognises that there is a need for effective planning for civil emergencies to ensure the efficient and speedy management of the response to these incidents between all the possible agencies: the Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance Service, the Council, utilities providers and voluntary agencies.

The Council’s emergency plan includes arrangements for:

The purpose of the Council's emergency planning arrangements is to provide staff with the plans, procedures, training and information they will require to enable them to ameliorate the effects of any major emergency occurring within Stevenage, whilst allowing Council services to continue to provide as far as possible their usual day to day services.

Although every incident is different, they will operate in accordance with procedures set out in the Emergency Services Major Incident Procedure Manual.

These procedures are constantly being updated, and the Council has its own plans for mobilising social services, housing, highways and environmental health and opening up and staffing rest centres. Public utilities, voluntary organisations and many businesses also have their own emergency plans.

An emergency incident might mean evacuating an area and providing temporary accommodation. Rest centres may need to be set up, food and blankets provided and information given to anxious relatives. Someone has to be ready to reunite families who may be parted by an emergency situation, perhaps because the children were at school or some people at work.

Arranging all this is the job of the emergency services supported by The Council and many other public, private and voluntary organisations.

Major hazard sites

Some industries, because of the nature and quantity of chemicals or substances stored or processed, are required by law to distribute information to people living in the immediate vicinity of the hazardous sites.  There are no such sites within the Borough of Stevenage.

Radio and TV - warning the public

In major emergency situations, it may be necessary to issue warnings and advice to the public. Such messages would normally be broadcast on relevant radio and TV channels.

Remember to be prepared for power cuts - have a battery-operated radio and know how to tune in to your local stations.

Local radio stations

These are as follows:

BBC Three Counties Radio
On 98, 103.8, 95.5, 104.5 and 94.7 MHz FM:
1 Hastings Street, Luton, LU1 5XL
3cr@bbc.co.uk   or hertfordshire@bbc.co.uk
Action Desk: 01582 441111
Action Desk Fax: 01585 401467

Chiltern Radio
On 97.6 MHz FM:
97.6 Chiltern FM, Dunstable
laura.lyon@creation.com (Herts, Beds and Bucks)
Tel: 01582 676200

On 96.9 MHz FM:
Bedford's Chiltern 96.9
simon.marshall@creation.com (Bedford)
Tel: 01582 676240

Hertbeat Radio
On 106.7 and 106.9MHz FM:
HertBeat FM, The Pump House, Knebworth Park, Stevenage, Herts, SG3 6HQ
news@hertbeat.com
Tel: 01438 810900 (?)
Fax: 01438 815100

News reporter: Ruth Gibbon - ruth@hertbeat.com
Advertising:  Lee Withers -    lee@hertbeat.com

Local television stations

Anglia TV News
Headquarters: Anglia Television, Anglia House, Norwich, NR1 3RG
news@angliatv.com or mystory@angliatv.com
Tel: 01603 753420
Switch Board: 01603 615151
Newsroom: 01603 753400

Beds Office (Luton)
Julie York
Tel: 01582 729666
Fax: 01582 401214
E-Mail: beds@angliatv.com

BBC Look East
Broadcasting House, 104 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 1LD
look.east@bbc.co.uk
Tel: 01223 589880
Fax: 01223 460832
Reception: 01223 259696
Fax: 01223 252011

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