The modern world is still an unsafe place and there are a multitude of potential risks and so major emergencies will inevitably occur. The one thing you can be sure of in an emergency situation is that it will probably be the last thing that you expected. Floods, severe weather, transport accidents (air, sea, road, rail) or incidents involving dangerous chemicals usually strike without warning.
We recognise that there is an 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. We work in partnership with the Cumbria County Emergency Planning Unit to prepare and plan for dealing with emergencies.
The purpose of our emergency planning is to provide staff with the plans, procedures and information they will require to enable them to ameliorate the effects of any major emergency occurring within Eden District, whilst allowing core services to continue to provide, as far as possible, their usual day-to-day services.
The emergency plans set out the information, procedures and details required to ensure an effective, flexible and timely response to an emergency, thus reducing to a minimum the distress and disruption caused by such an incident.
If you require any further information on our emergency planning, please use the contact details above.
Our Emergency Response Plan is available here (PDF: 416Kb / 41 pages).
Dealing with an Emergency
Whatever the situation, it is important to be ready to follow the instructions from the Police and other emergency services. 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.
Although every incident is different, they will operate in accordance with principles set out in the General Emergency Plan.
These procedures are constantly being updated, and we will mobilise, where appropriate, the necessary officers. 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. Reception centres may need to be set up, support provided and information given to anxious relatives.
Arranging all this is the job of the emergency services, supported by us and many other public, private and voluntary organisations.
Useful information is also available from the County Council.
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 cater for power cuts - you should have a battery-operated radio and know how to tune into your local stations.
Local Radio Stations
These are as follows:
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CFM Radio
Address: PO Box 964, Carlisle, CA1 3NG
Telephone: 01228 818964
Fax: 01228 819444
Website: CFM Radio.com
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.
Fortunately, there are currently no such sites in Eden District.
For further information:
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Contact: Director of Finance, Town Hall, Penrith CA11 7QF
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Telephone: 01768 817817
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Email: dof@eden.gov.uk
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Fax: 01768 890470
