Preparing for emergencies
Last Updated: 9 July, 2008
1. Why has the government produced this
booklet?
Because it is important that people know how they can help themselves and
their families in a number of emergencies. The booklet will ensure that people
across the UK have practical, common sense information about how to prepare
for and what to do in the event of an emergency.
2. Does this mean there is an increased threat
of a terrorist attack?
No. This is not in response to any specific threat. 'Preparing for Emergencies'
is part of the Government's commitment to ensuring the public is informed
in a sensible, practical and helpful way and has been developed in response
to the public demand for more information.
3. Why does the booklet focus on terrorism? It
does not. The booklet provides general advice for a range of emergencies.
4. How do you know this is what people want? The
content and design of the booklet has been researched with public focus groups
which have helped us to ensure that this is what people want to know.
5. Who is the booklet for? The
booklet is for all members of the general public and copies have been sent
to every home in the country.
6. Who was involved in preparing the text?
7. What is in the booklet?
The booklet covers:
8. How were the topic areas decided?
The process of drawing up the final text was long and detailed. The end product
reflects the results of wide-ranging and detailed consultation, including
with the public, to determine what people wanted to have advice on.
9. Why is the booklet written in such simple
language?
The booklet needed to be tailored for the very diverse target audience in
the UK and needed to state the obvious so that people were clear on what
to do in an emergency.
10. Why is the booklet only in the languages
listed? Why isn't it in other languages?
The booklet was written for the UK public and the choice of languages was
based on research on the most represented languages across the UK. The criteria
for selection were:
11. What if I didn't receive my copy?
Order a copy by phoning 0870 241 4680, or use the printable
order form. In addition, electronic versions are available on this
website.
12. How can people get extra copies/ alternative
formats?
There are several ways to order extra copies, alternative formats or alternative
languages:
Organisations requiring bulk supplies of leaflets can also use these methods
to place an order.
13. What other formats are available?
The booklet is available as an audio tape, in large print and in Braille.
A video version in British Sign Language is also available.
We informed just over 1,400 disability organisations about the availability
of alternative formats through their Publicity Register mailing.
14. What other languages are available?
Print versions are available in: English; Welsh; Arabic; Bengali; Chinese;
French; Gujarati; Punjabi; Somali; Turkish; and Urdu.
In addition, electronic versions are available on this
website in: Arabic; Bengali; Chinese; Farsi; French; Greek; Gujarati;
Hindi; Kurdish; Punjabi; Somali; Turkish; Urdu; Vietnamese; and Welsh and
Irish and Scots Gaelic.
15. Where can people get more information?
This website, which forms part of the campaign, contains a wide range of
frequently updated advice and information for the public on emergencies,
and business continuity and protective security guidance for businesses and
voluntary and community groups. The More
Information section of the website provides links to further sources
of information and advice. In addition, the UK
Resilience website [External website] provides a range
of detailed information primarily targeted at civil protection practitioners
to assist them in their contingency planning work.
16. How much did the campaign cost?
The entire campaign cost in the region of £8.3 million.
17. Who paid for it?
Cost was shared between government departments and the devolved administrations.
18. Was £8.3m not too much to spend
on a booklet?
No. The booklet was delivered to over 25 million households throughout the
UK, at less than the price of a daily newspaper.
19. Who produced the campaign materials?
The Central Office of Information and the advertising agency WCRS.
20. Is this an up-dated version of the
'Protect & Survive' campaign?
No, there is no comparison between the two campaigns.
21. Is this a one-off or will you be distributing updates or further information in the same way?
There are currently no plans to do so, but the Government is constantly reviewing
what information it needs to tell the public and the best way of doing so.
This website, and the UK
Resilience website [External website], provide regularly
updated advice on emergencies for the public, businesses, voluntary and community
groups and civil protection practitioners. The websites are worth checking
regularly for new information.
22. What is an emergency?
The definition of 'Emergency' used in the Civil Contingencies Act is: 'an
event or situation which threatens serious damage to human welfare, the environment or the security of the UK'.
23. How do you know the advice is right?
We consulted the experts in the emergency services, the Security Service
and a number of technical experts including the Department of Health to make
sure the advice was correct. To ensure that the advice was practical, useful
and understandable, also that it was something that they would reasonably
act upon, we carried out a programme of testing with the public.
24. Why is the 'Go In Stay In Tune In'
slogan included?
The phrase 'Go In, Stay In, Tune In' was developed by NSCWIP (National Steering
Committee on Warning and Informing the Public) - the Government's primary
advisers on warning and informing the public. It is the key message for people
who are not in the immediate location of an attack and therefore not under
the direct instruction of the emergency services. It is not new. It has been
widely adopted across this country and elsewhere after extensive research.
It is used particularly by the emergency services and has proven valuable
in chemical incidents.
25. Who are NSCWIP?
The National Steering Committee on Warning and Informing the Public (NSCWIP)
was established in 1997 with the remit "to encourage improvements in
the arrangements for warning members of the public of an imminent or actual
threat to life, health or property and to inform them of the appropriate
action to take". More information can be found on the NSCWIP
website. [External website]
26. Why is there no more advice on chemical,
biological or radiological attacks?
The basic advice on chemical, biological and radiological releases in the
booklet is the best advice that can be given that is not dependent on the
specific circumstances of the incident. Public safety is our first priority
in all decisions about public information or warnings. It is the Government's
policy to issue warnings when the public can take action in response to a
specific or credible threat. Such warnings will also provide further information
that will help the public respond effectively.
27. Why is there no more advice on what
to do in case of an attack on public transport systems?
Advice tailored to the circumstances of any particular emergency will be
provided by public transport service providers.
28. Isn't this all too alarming?
It is impossible to guarantee that no individuals will be alarmed by information
about situations that are inherently worrying. But, through research, the
text has been written in a way that will minimise this where possible.
29. How can I find out more about first
aid training?
Visit the links to the Red
Cross [External website], St
John Ambulance [External website], or St
Andrews Ambulance [External website]. The Red Cross also
does courses in First
Aid Training for the Workplace [External website].
30. Where can I find out more about fire
safety in the home?
There is much more detailed advice on fire safety in the home on the Fire
Kills website [External website].
31. How do I find out if my local area
has emergency plans in place - who should I contact?
You should contact your local responders through your Local Resilience Forum.
Under the Civil Contingencies Act local responders (such as local authorities
and emergency services) have to publish information about their emergency
planning activities. Local Resilience Forums are the primary means by which
responders work together at a local level to prepare for emergencies. This
website provides contact details for all Local
Resilience Forums. The UK
Resilience website [External website] website provides
more information on the duties required under the Civil Contingencies Act.
In addition, Local Authority addresses are on Directgov's A-Z
of Local Councils [External website].
32. You say the public should be alert.
What should people actually do?
As we have always said, the key is for the public to remain alert and vigilant.
This means keeping an eye out for suspect packages, or people acting suspiciously,
and reporting anything suspicious to the anti-terrorist hotline number: 0800
789 321 or 999 in an emergency.
33. You have recommended that people have
basic food and supplies available - should we also be buying gas masks or
any other specialist equipment?
No. There is currently no information that would lead us to advise you to
obtain protective clothing, including gas masks. We will issue advice immediately
if you need to take specific action.