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.
The Council recognises 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. Eden works in partnership with Cumbria County Emergency Planning Unit to prepare and plan for dealing with emergencies.
The purpose of the Council's 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 Council 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 the Council's emergency planning, please use the contact details above.
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 the Council 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 the Council and many other public, private and voluntary organisations.
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 in to 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 Technical Service, Mansion House, Penrith CA11 7YG
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Telephone: 01768 817817
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Email: dts@eden.gov.uk
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Fax: 01768 890470
