How can I join the emergency planning society? The Society welcomes members from all fields who are employed in, or have a particular interest in, the field of emergency planning and management. To apply you can either write to:
The Media Centre Culverhouse Cross Cardiff CF5 6XJ
Or alternatively you can call: 0845 600 9587.
How should I be prepared for possible flooding?
Keep a list of useful numbers to hand e.g. your local council, the emergency services, your insurance company and Floodline - 0845 988 1188.
Have a few sandbags or floorboards prepared to block doorways and air bricks.
Make up a flood kit, including a torch, blankets, waterproof clothing, wellingtons, a portable radio, first aid kit, rubber gloves and key personal documents. Keep it upstairs, if possible.
Talk about possible flooding with your family or those you live with. Consider writing a Flood Plan, and store these notes with your flood kit.
Make sure you know where to turn off your gas and electricity.
What about your pets? Where will you move them to if a flood is on the way?
Think about your car. Where could you move it to in the event of a flood warning?
Get into the habit of storing valuable or sentimental personal belongings upstairs or in a high place downstairs.
Think about medication. In the event of a flood, you will still need to take it.
Is there anything I could do to help in an emergency? Do not block the Council switchboard trying to find information. We will contact you, if necessary, or listen out for media notifications. What do I do if a flood happens?
Listen out for warnings on radio and TV and phone Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for more information.
Move pets, vehicles, valuables and other items to safety.
Alert your neighbours, particularly the elderly.
Put sandbags or flood boards in place - but make sure your property is ventilated. Plug sinks/baths and put a sandbag in the toilet bowl to prevent backflow.
Be ready to turn off gas and electricity (get help if needed). Unplug electrical items and move them upstairs if possible.
Co-operate with emergency services and local authorities - you may be evacuated to a rest centre.
Do as much as you can in daylight. Doing anything in the dark will be a lot harder, especially if the electricity fails.
Stay safe in a flood
Floods can kill. Don't try to walk or drive through floodwater - six inches of fast flowing water can knock you over and two feet of water will float your car. Manhole covers may have come off and there may be other hazards you can’t see.
Never try to swim through fast flowing water - you may get swept away or be struck by an object in the water.
Don't walk on sea defences, riverbanks or cross river bridges if possible - they may collapse in extreme situations or you may be swept off by large waves. Beware of stones and pebbles being thrown up by waves.
Avoid contact with floodwater - it may be contaminated with sewage.
What if I am elderly, disabled or sick? Spelthorne Borough Council will arrange transport to help you get to the rest centre.
What if I have to be evacuated; where do I go? Spelthorne Borough Council will set up a rest centre and you will be advised where to go. What should I do in an emergency? Telephone the Police, who will cascade to the Surrey County Council Emergency Planning Unit and ourselves. For minor emergencies, contact the Spelthorne Borough Council Duty Officer on 01784 446446. Why plan for emergencies? We live in a highly technological and consumer-driven society, which demands much from industry. Raw material extraction, manufacturing processes, transportation of dangerous substances around the world by land, sea and air and the, apparently, changing weather patterns make it essential that should the unthinkable actually happen the County Council, at least, has a starting point for a response. It would certainly be remiss of us if we failed to put these basic arrangements in place.
The rapid and effective response to an emergency could well save lives and property as well as helping to protect the environment in which we live.
