Communications and Self Help in an Emergency

Communications

During an emergency, we will do our best to communicate with you to let you know what is happening. The responding organisations will work together to ensure that the same message will be communicated to you. We will communicate with you in various ways, but the best way is for you to listen to your local radio station.

Alternatively you can look at advise shared by the emergency services via social media platforms.

If there is a major emergency, radio stations and TV companies will interrupt programming to give public safety advice and information about the situation.

You should tune in to: BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on 94.8, 103.7 and 104 FM.

Emergency Alerts

Emergency Alerts is a UK government service that will warn you if there's a danger to life nearby.

In an emergency, your mobile phone or tablet will receive an alert with advice about how to stay safe.

Reasons you might get an alert

You may get alerts about:

• Severe flooding
• Fires
• Extreme weather

Emergency alerts will only be sent by:

• The emergency services
• Government departments, agencies and public bodies that deal with emergencies

What happens when you get an emergency alert

Your mobile phone or tablet may:

• Make a loud siren-like sound, even if it's set on silent
• Vibrate
• Read out the alert

The sound and vibration will last for about 10 seconds.

An alert will include a phone number or a link to the GOV.UK website for more information.

You'll get alerts based on your current location - not where you live or work. You do not need to turn on location services to receive alerts.

Self-help

During an emergency, the emergency services and other responding organisations will do their best to help you. But you can make an emergency situation less stressful for yourself by taking some simple practical preparations now, before an emergency occurs:

• Plan in advance
• Be ready to look after yourself for up to three days without leaving your home
• Be ready to leave your home if you are told to do so for your own safety, or if you choose to leave your home to stay with friends, family, or at alternative accommodation.

If you are involved in any emergency it is important to:

• Call 999 if people are injured or if there is a threat to life

If you are not in imminent danger:

• Do not put yourself or others in danger
• Follow the advice of the emergency services
• If not told to evacuate then go into your home, shut all doors and windows and tune in to your local radio station
• Try to remain calm; think before acting and try to reassure others
• check for injuries - remember to attend to yourself before attempting to help others

If you are not involved in an accident or emergency but are close by or believe you may be in danger, in most cases the advice is to go in, stay in, and tune in.

Updated September 2023 - Review due September 2024