What to do in an emergency
Emergencies can vary enormously, from an incident just involving one household (e.g. burst pipes in the loft) through to emergencies affecting whole communities.
Below is a list of useful contacts but in certain circumstances you may be asked to leave your home by the emergency services. In these instances, please take with you any medication, list of important contacts, keys, mobile phone and cash and credit cards.
Depending on the emergency you may need to turn off electricity, gas and water supplies, unplug appliances and lock all doors and windows. When returning home open all windows to ensure fresh air before reconnecting gas and electricity
Who to can help in an emergency?
Emergency services 999 (if life is at risk)
NHS direct 0845 46 47
Hampshire Constabulary (non emergency) 0845 045 45 45
Hampshire Fire and Rescue (non emergency) 02380 644 000
North Hampshire Hospital accident and emergency department 01256 473202
Basingstoke and Deane Council (24 hours a day) 01256 844844
Hampshire County Council, Hants Direct Mon- Fri: 8am- 8pm, Sat: 9 am – 4 pm 0845 603 5638
Environment Agency Floodline 0845 988 1188
National Flood Forum (For flood defence advice) 01299 403 055
Gas leaks 0800 111 999
Electricity 08000 72 72 82
Your local water company
-
South East Water (covering Basingstoke town area)
Mon - Fri: 8am-7pm, Sat 8am-1pm 0845 301 0845; Out of hours emergency 0845 602 1724
- Southern Water (covering Kingsclere, Overton, Whitchurch and Woodhay) 0845 602 0845
Drainage problems
- Southern Water (covering anything west of Basingstoke town centre) 0845 278 0845
The role of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Our role in a major incident is to support the emergency services and then to help return life to normal as soon as possible.
To achieve this we will:
- respond to requests from the emergency services to assist in response to major incidents;
- mobilise our staff to carry out tasks requested by the emergency services. Depending on the scale and type of incident, this may include:
- establishing an Emergency Control Centre to co-ordinate our response;
- setting up rest centres to provide transport, shelter, food and information to people
- evacuated from the vicinity of a major incident,
- providing advice on the temporary re-housing of people who are unable to return to their homes;
- specialist advice to the public on matters such as public health and structural stability of buildings;
- providing information to the public and the media;
- supplying sandbags in flooding incidents (*see footnote);
- assisting in cleaning up the area affected by a major incident.
- Co-ordinate our response with Hampshire County Council, other local authorities, town and parish councils and the voluntary sector;
- As far as possible, keep our everyday council services running despite diversion of staff and other resources to handling of the incident;
- Take a leading role in helping the community to recover and to return life to normal.
The Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council Emergency Plan is available to be downloaded at the bottom of this page.
We have a mutual aid protocol with other local authorities across Hampshire to assist one another in responding to a major incident. This allows us to ‘borrow’ staff and equipment from other authorities, particularly if we are faced with a prolonged emergency. However, it is important to recognise that the council is not a ‘24/7’ organisation like the emergency services.
Useful things to do before an emergency
Make a list of important contact details i.e. family, friends, neighbours, GP, veterinary surgery, public utility companies etc.
Know how to turn off your gas, electricity and water supplies.
- Know how to tune your radio to local stations.
- Know how your family will stay in contact in the event of an emergency.
- Make up an emergency pack
- Know the emergency procedures for your children at school.
If you are at home when an emergency happens, get together the following:
The list of your important contact details
- Home and car keys
- Cash and credit cards
- Mobile phone
- Battery radio - with spare batteries
- Torch - with spare batteries, candles and matches
- First Aid Kit
- Toiletries and any regularly prescribed medication
It is useful to have bottled water, ready to eat food and a bottle/ tin opener in the event you are required to remain in your home for several days.
Feedback
If you have any comments, we would like to hear from you. Call 01256 845545 or e-mail emergency.planning@basingstoke.gov.uk.
Or write to:
Emergency Planning
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Civic Offices
London Road
Basingstoke
Hants
RG21 4AH
Useful links:
Civil Contingencies Secretariat - Information about a wide variety of emergencies and crises that can affect the UK plus emergency planning guidance.
The Environment Agency – information about flooding
Guidance on Preparing for Emergencies
UK Resilience Information
